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Paradise  Lost 

A    POEM  IN  TWELVE   BOOKS 
By  JOHN   MILTON 


BOSTON 
HOUGHTON,  MIFFLIN  AND   COMPANY 


entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  tlie  year  1869,  hj 

HURD  AND  IIOUQHTOK, 

Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New 
York. 


May  ^7.  IIZI 


RIYBRaiBE,  CAUBKISaB. 

STXKKOTTPED    AND    PRINTXD    Bf 

H     0     HOUOHTON   AND  COHPAHT. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


In  this  volume  an  attempt  has  been  made  tc 
present  a  neat  and  serviceable  edition  of  ParEsdise 
Lost,  provided  witli  brief  explanatory  notes.  It  is 
hoped  that  it  may  prove  especially  useful  to  a  class  of 
readers,  in  our  schools  and  elscAvhere,  who  can  relish 
Milton's  poetry,  but  who  have  few  formal  books  of 
reference.  The  notes  which  have  been  introduced 
serve  to  throw  light  on  points  of  mythology,  history, 
and  geography,  and  on  nice  or  obscure  turns  of  ex- 
pression. Much  advantage  has  been  derived  from 
the  labors  of  English  commentators,  and  the  recent 
edition  of  Keightley  (1859)  has  been  constantly  at 
hand.  But  these  resources  have  not  been  drawn 
upon  without  discrimination ;  and  a  great  deal  of 
independent  labor  has  been  applied,  which  is  none 
the  less  real,  that  its  results  appear  in  a  compact  and 
summary  form.  For  the  comparison  of  parallel  pas- 
sages the  copious  verbal  index,  which  is  so  valuable 
a  part  of  Cleveland's  edition  of  the  Poems  of  Milton, 
has  been  of  great  use. 

For  the  most  part  the  modern  spelling  has  been 
preferred.     In  some  words,  however,  as  for  example, 


IV  AD  VER  TI SEMEN  T. 

in  quire  (choir),  sovran,  ammiral,  lour,  and  partic- 
ularly in  the  initial  syllables  of  certain  compounds, 
the  orthography  of  the  old  editions  has  been  retained. 
In  various  instances  the  punctuation  has  been  modi- 
fied, a  liberty  as  to  the  text  of  the  Paradise  Lost 
which  is  quite  justifiable. 

This  edition  has  been  prepared  under  the  advice 
and  with  the  assistance  of  Professor  Torrey  of  Hai*- 
rard  University. 

Cambridge.  July,  1866 


LIFE  OF  MILTON. 


JoiiN  Milton,  the  cauthor  of  Paradise  Lost,  was 
born  in  London  on  the  ninth  day  of  December,  1G08. 
His  fother,  John  Milton,  was  a  man  of  some  learning 
and  ability,  and  had  been  educated  at  Oxford.  He 
there  became  a  Protestant,  and  was  in  consequence 
disinherited  by  his  father.  He  then  established  him- 
self in  London,  where  he  pursued  the  profession  of  a 
scrivener.^ 

The  poet  himself  says,  "I  was  born  at  liondon,  of 
an  honest  fomily;  my  father  was  distinguished  by  the 
undeviating  integrity  of  his  life,  my  mother  by  the 
esteem  in  which  she  was  held  and  the  alms  which 
ehe  bestowed.  My  father  destined  me  while  yet  a 
child  to  the  study  of  polite  literature,  which  I  embraced 
with  such  avidity  that  from  the  twelfth  year  of  my 
age  I  hardly  ever  retired  to  rest  from  my  studies  till 
midnight,  Avhich  was  the  first  source  of  injury  to  my 
eyes,  to  the  natural  weakness  of  which  were  added 
frequent  headaches;  all  of  which  not  retarding  my 
eagerness  after  knowledge,  he  took  care  to  have 
me  instructed  daily  both  at  school  and  by  other  mas- 
ters at  home."  His  first  tutor  was  a  learned  and 
pious  clergyman,  named  Young,  whom  his  pupil 
regarded  with    respect    and    affection.     Milton   was 

1  At  that  time  a  scrivener  -^vas  not  merely  a  copjist,  but  wafl  em- 
ployed to.  draw  up  wills,  bonds,  and  other  legal  contracts. 


Vi  LIFE    OF  MILTON. 

Bent  to  St.  Paul's  School  in  London,  and  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  to  Christ's  College,  Cambridge.  Before  en- 
tering the  University,  he  had  acquired  some  knowl- 
edge of  Hebrew,  and  translated  the  114th  and  llGth 
Psalms  into  English  verse. 

Milton  remained  at  Cambridge  seven  years.  The 
Hymn  on  the  Morning  of  Christ's  Nati\'ity  was  writ- 
ten in,  the  winter  of  1629,  soon  after  ho  had  com- 
pleted his  twenty-first  year.  He  had  originally  intend- 
ed to  enter  the  Church,  but  it  was  now  torn  by  dissen- 
sions between  the  High  Church  party  and  the  Puri- 
tans. The  interest  and  sympathy  of  Milton  were 
with  the  latter,  while  the  former,  now  in  power, 
required  a  submission  which  he  could  not  yield.  He 
therefore  relinquished  this  design,  and  after  leaving 
Cambridge  passed  five  years  at  Horton,  in  Bucking- 
hamshire, to  which  place  his  father  had  removed 
from  London.  Here  he  spent  his  time  in  close  and 
severe  study,  making  occasional  visits  to  London  for 
the  purpose  of  buying  books  or  gaining  instruction  in 
mathematics  or  music,  in  the  latter  of  which  he  was 
well  skilled  and  took  great  delight.  We  are  told 
that  "  he  had  a  delicate,  tunable  voice,"  and  Ije  per- 
formed on  both  the  organ  and  the  bass-viol.  In  one 
of  his  letters  from  Horton  he  says,  "It  is  my  way 
to  suffer  no  impediment,  no  love  of  ease,  no  avocation 
whatever,  to  chill  the  ardor,  to  break  the  continuity, 
or  divert  the  completion  of  my  literary  pursuits." 
At  Horton  were  probably  written  several  of  Mil- 
ton's shorter  poems,  —  Arcades,  Comus,  Lycidas, 
L' Allegro,  and  II  Penseroso.  The  charming  de- 
scriptions of  rural  sights  and  sounds  in  these  poems 
show  the  influence  of  his  country  life  upon  the  mind 
of  the  poet.  The  Masque  of  Comus  was  presented 
at  Ludlow  Castle,  the  official  residence  of  the  Earl  of 
Bridgewater,  then  Lord  President  of  Wales  and  the 


LIFE    OF  MILTON.  vii 

Marclies,  in  1634.  The  actors  were  the  sons  of  the 
Earl,  and  his  daughter,  Lady  Alice  Egerton.  The 
story  of  the  poem  is  said  to  have  been  founded  on 
the  circumstance  of  the  Lady  Alice  having  been  not 
long  before  lost  in  passing  through  Haywood  forest. 
The  monody  of  Lycidas  was  composed  on  occasion 
of  the  death  of  Mr.  Edward  King,  who  had  been 
Milton's  friend  and  fellow-student  at  Cambridge,  and 
was  drowned  in  1637  on  his  passage  to  L-eland.  Of 
the  otlier  two  poems,  L' Allegro  (the  Cheerful,  or 
the  Cheerful  Man)  and  11  Penseroso  (the  Pensive 
or  Thoughtful),  the  exact  date  cannot  be  ascertained. 
Of  these  even  Dr.  Johnson,  Milton's  most  unfriendly 
critic,  is  compelled  to  acknowledge  that  "  they  are  two 
noble  efforts  of  imagination." 

The  mother  of  the  poet  died  in  1637,  and  the  next 
year  Milton  left  England  to  travel  upon  the  Conti- 
nent. He  stayed  only  a  few  days  in  Paris,  where 
he  was  introduced  to  the  celebrated  Grotius.  From 
France  he  proceeded  to  Italy,  and  passed  some  time 
in  Florence,  Rome,  and  Naples.  He  was  on  terms  of 
intimacy  with  several  Florentines  well  known  as  men  of 
letters,  and  says  himself,  "  Here  it  was  that  I  found 
and  visited  the  famous  Galileo,  grown  old,  a  prisoner 
to  the  Inquisition  for  thinking  in  astronomy  other- 
wise than  the  Franciscan  and  Dominican  licensers 
thought."  At  Naples,  Milton  was  treated  with 
great  kindness  by  Manso,  Marquis  of  Villa,  now  an 
old  man,  who  had  been  the  finend  and  patron  of  the 
poet  Tasso.  The  influence  of  this  visit  to  Italy  and 
acquaintance  with  its  distinguished  literary  men  and 
works  may  be  traced  in  Milton's  subsequent  writings, 
particularly  in  Paradise  Lost,  though  it  was  nearly 
thirty  years  later  that  this,  his  greatest  work,  waa 
Dublished. 

Milton  had  intended  to  proceed  from  Naplea  to 


riii  LIFE   OF  MILTON. 

Sicily  and  Greece,  but  hearing  of  the  alarming  state 
:iS:  public  affairs  in  England  he  relinquished  his  plan, 
"  I  deemed  it,"  he  says,  "  to  be  disgraceful  for  me  to 
be  idling  .away  my  time  abroad  for  my  own  gratifica- 
tion, while  my  countrymen  were  contending  for  their 
liberty."  He  did  not,  however,  immediately  return 
to  England,  but  again  visited  Rome  and  Florence, 
and  afterwards  went  to  Venice,  whence  he  proceeded 
to  Geneva.  He  returned  by  way  of  Paris  to  Eng- 
land, after  an  absence  of  fifteen  months.  In  giving 
an  account  of  his  travels,  Milton  writes,  "  I  take  God 
to  witness  that  I  lived,  in  all  those  places  where  so 
much  license  is  given,  free  from  and  untouched  by 
any  kind  of  vice  and  infamy,  continually  bearing  in 
mind  that  even  if  I  could  escape  the  eyes  of  men,  I 
could  not  escape  those  of  God." 

Milton  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  an  inde- 
pendent in  religion.  In  the  contest  at  that  time  raging 
in  England  between  the  King  (Charles  I.)  and  the  Par- 
liament, he  sided  with  the  latter.  He  believed  nei- 
ther in  the  divine  right  of  kings  nor  in  the  authority 
of  the  Established  Church,  and  considered  it  as  lawful 
and  right  to  oppose  to  the  last  extreme  the  despotic 
use  of  the  king's  prerogative  and  the  efforts  made  by 
the  primate,  Archbishop  Laud,  to  maintain  High 
Church  doctrines  and  observances.  He  did  not,  hov/- 
ever,  take  any  active  part  in  the  contest.  He  says, 
"  Things  being  in  such  a  disturbed  and  fluctuating 
state,  I  looked  about  to  see  if  I  could  get  any  place 
that  would  hold  myself  and  my  books,  and  so  I  took 
a  house  of  sufficient  size  in  the  city  (London)  ;  and 
there  with  no  small  delight  I  resumed  my  intermitted 
studies,  cheerfully  leaving  the  event  of  public  affairs, 
first  to  God,  and  then  to  those  to  whom  the  people 
had  committed  that  task."  Here  he  received  as  pu- 
piia  his  two  nephews,  the  sons  of  his  sister  JNlrs.  Phil- 


LIFE    OF  MILTON.  ^ 

lips,  and  also  the  sons  of  some  of  his  friends.  TbesG 
he  instructed  in  Greek,  Latin,  and  Hebrew,  as  well 
as  in  mathematics  and  astronomy.  His  schohirs  read 
to  him  every  Sunday  a  portion  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment in  Greek,  which  he  explained  to  them. 

In  the  year  1641,  all  hopes  of  an  accommodation 
between  the  king  and  the  parliament  being  at  an  end, 
the  opponents  of  Monarchy  and  P^piscopacy  became 
bold,  and  Milton  wrote  and  published  several  treatises 
in  opposition  to  the  doctrines  of  what  he  called 
"  Prelaticall  Episcopacy." 

In  1G43,  he  married  Mary  Powell,  the  daughter  of 
Mr.  Richard  Powell  of  Forest  Hill  in  Oxfordshire. 
Mr.  Powell  \vm  of  the  king's  party  (or,  in  tlie  lan- 
guage of  the  times,  a  cavalier),  and  the  strict  and 
pimple  notions  of  Milton  may  have  been  distasteful  to 
the  daughter  of  a  royalist  and  churchman.  A  few 
weeks  after  her  marriage,  she  went  to  her  father's 
house  for  a  visit,  and  there  remained,  though  repeat- 
edly urged  by  her  husband  to  return.  Milton  was 
not  of  a  temper  to  bear  such  an  injury  patiently, 
and  his  views  with  regard  to  the  duty  of  obedience 
and  subjection  in  a  wife,  as  afterwards  expressed  in 
Bome  passages  of  Paradise  Lost,  did  not  incline  him 
to  submission.  He  considered  himself  as  having  a 
right  to  divorce  a  wife  so  contumacious,  and  published 
several  treatises  on  the  subject  of  Divorce,  which  ga\e 
as  great  scandal  to  the  Presbyterian  clergy,  then  at 
the  height  of  their  influence,  as  his  previous  attacks 
u})on  Episcopacy  had  done  to  the  Bishops  and  High 
Church  party.  In  the  same  year,  1644,  he  published 
his  Tractate  on  Education  and  the  Areopagitica,  a 
Speech  for  the  liberty  of  unlicensed  Printing,  which 
is  held  to  be  in  elo(|uence  and  digni.ty  the  first  in  rank 
among  his  prose  works.  In  1645,  a  reconciliation  was 
brought   about   between   Milton   and   his  wife.      His 


£  LIFE  OF  MILTON. 

forgiveness  of  lier  and  her  family  seems  to  have  been 
complete,  for  he  soon  after  received  Mr.  Powell  (who 
had  suffered  great  losses  in  the  civil  Avar  which  was 
now  going  on),  with  his  wife  and  children,  into  hia 
own  house,  where  they  remained  for  some  months. 
After  this,  nothing  further  was  published  by  Milton 
on  the  subject  of  Divorce.  His  wife  died,  probably 
in  the  year  1653,  leaving  three  daughters.  The  poet 
was  afterwards  twice  married,  and  his  third  wife 
Burvived  him.  It  is  supposed  that  no  descendants  of 
the  poet  remain. 

Charles  I.  was  brought  to  trial  and  executed  in 
1649,  and  Milton,  whose  views  coincided  with  those 
of  the  party  at  that  time  in  power  (the  Indepen- 
dents ^  having  succeeded  the  Presbyterians  in  influ- 
ence), wrote  a  treatise  to  maintain  the  lawfulness  of 
the  king's  execution.  Royalty  having  been  thus 
abolished,  the  government  of  the  Commonwealth,  as 
it  was  now  called,  was  vested  in  a  Council  of  State. 
The  Latin  language  was  used  by  them  in  their  corre- 
spondence with  foreign  powers,  and  Milton  was  made 
their  Secretary.  The  execution  of  Charles  had 
excited  the  greatest  indignation  throughout  Europe, 
and  one  of  the  most  famous  scholars  of  the  time, 
best  known  by  his  Latinized  name,  Salmasius,  pub- 
lished a  famous  treatise  upholding  the  doctrine  of  the 
divine  right  of  kings  to  rule  without  accountability  to 
man.  Milton  was  ordered  by  the  Council  to  prepare 
an  answer  to  Salmasius,  and  in  1650  appeared  his 
celebrated  Defenslo  pro  Populo  Anglicano.  But  this 
labor  caused  the  loss  of  his  sight,^  which  had  before 
been   greatly  impaired,  and  soon   after  he   became 

1  The  Independents  (also  known  as  Congregationalists)  held  that 
every  body  of  Chii^tiani?  forming  a  church  was  competent  to  manage 
its  own  affah's,  choose  its  own  ministers,  and  decide  disputed  ques 
tiona,  without  refei-ence  to  bishops  or  presbyters 

a  See  Sonnet  to  Cyriac  Skinner,  page  15. 


LIFE   OF  MILTON.  a 

totally  blind.  He  continued,  however,  to  bold  the 
office  of  Secretary  under  Cromwell  (Avho  had  possessed 
himself  of  the  supreme  power,  and  been  made  Lord 
Protector  in  1653),  and  wrote  state  papers  even  up 
to  the  time  of  the  Restoration. 

When,  after  .the  death  of  Oliver  Cromwell  and 
the  resignation  of  his  son  Richard,  a  return  to  mo- 
narchical government  seemed  unavoidable,  Milton 
made  a  last  effort  in  behalf  of  the  republicanism  to 
which  he  was  always  ardently  attaclied,  but  it  was  of 
no  avaih  The  tide  had  turned,  and  in  16G0  Charles  11. 
was  restored  to  the  throne.  Miltou  was  for  a  time 
obliged  to  conceal  himself,  but  influential  friends  ex- 
erted themselves  for  him,  and,  though  some  of  his 
books  were  burned,  he  was  spared.  Of  the  manner 
of  his  life  after  this  time  we  have  some  account 
from  Ell  wood,  a  young  Quaker  who  had  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  poet.  He  writes,  "  John  Milton, 
a  gentleman  of  great  note  for  learning  throughout 
the  learned  world,  having  filled  a  public  station  in 
former  times,  lived  now  a  private  and  retired  life 
in  London :  and,  having  wholly  lost  his  sight,  kept 
always  a  man  to  read  to  him,  which  usually  was  the 
son  of  some  gentleman  of  his  acquaintance,  whom  in 
kindness  he  took  to  improve  in  his  learning."  In 
1665,  Avhen  the  plague  was  raging  In  London,  Milton 
took  a  small  house  at  Chalfont  in  Buckinghamshire, 
where  he  remained,  with  his  wife  and  daughters,  till 
it  was  safe  to  return  to  London.  At  Chalfont  he 
uhowed  to  Ellwood  the  manusciipt  of  Paradise  Lost, 
which  was  published  in  1067.  Thirteen  hundred  cop- 
ies of  the  poem  were  sold  In  two  years,  and  in  1669  a 
second  edition  was  printed.  When  we  consider  the 
circumstances  of  the  time  and  the  political  disfavor 
in  which  Milton  stood,  we  must  regard  this  as  a  fair 
measure  of  success,  and  the  poet  could  hardly  Iiave 


Xli  LIFE    OF  MILTON. 

anticipated  more  when  he  wrote  of  the  audieiice  Jll 
though  few  that  would  attend  his  song.  To  more 
than  few  it  must  have  been  a  delight,  Ibr,  to  quote 
the  words  of  one  of  his  biogra[)hers,  "  As  to  the  asser- 
tion of  the  poem  being  above  the  age  in  which  it  ap 
peared,  we  cannot  regard  it  as  correct ;  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Scriptures,  the  classics,  and  the  Italian 
poets,  was  probably  greater  at  that  time  than  it  is  at 
the  present  day  ;  and  this  is  the  knowledge  requisite 
for  understanding  the  Pciradise  Lost,"  Criticism  of 
this  great  poem  would  here  be  out  of  place ;  its  beau- 
ties and  its  blemishes  must  carry  their  own  commenda- 
tion or  condeumation.  It  was  said  by  Dr.  Johnson  that 
Milton's  "  images  and  descriptions  of  the  scenes  or 
operations  of  JS'ature  do  not  seem  to  be  always  copied 
from  original  form,  nor  to  have  the  freshness,  raci- 
ness,  and  energy  of  innncdiate  observation.  He 
saw  Nature,  as  Diyden  expresses  it,  through  the  spec- 
tacles of  hooks  ;  "  and,  as  has  been  maintained  in  our 
own  times,  described  Nature  like  a  blind  man.  It  is 
true  that  Milton  was  bliiid,  but  he  retained  both 
memory  and  imagination,  and  numerous  passages  and 
hai)py  touches  as  of  an  artist's  pencil  prove  that  it 
was  not  in  vain  that  he  had  seen  and  loved  Nature 
for  nearly  fifty  years.  The  five  years  that  he  spent 
in  Buckinghamshire  at  a  period  of  life  when  the 
mind  is  most  alive  to  external  impressions,  and  the 
time  that  he  passed  in  foreign  travel  and  iinder 
Italian  skies,  must  have  stored  his  mind  with  pic- 
tures and  images  that  it  scarcely  needed  his  genius 
to  recall.  He  had  not  forgotten  "  the  Etrurian 
shades," 

"  Or  sight  of  vernal  bloom,  or  summer's  rose." 

In  1671  Milton  published  Paradise  Regained,  a 
poem  generally  regarded  as  inferior  to  Paradise 
Lost.     But  Milton  himself  did  not  so  esteem  it,  and 


LIFE    OF  MILTON.  xui 

»(ras  disturbed  at  the  expression  of  such  opiulon. 
Coleridge  says  of  it,  "  In  its  kind  it  is  the  most 
perfect  poem  extant,"  and  Wordsworth,  that  it  is 
"  the  most  perfect  in  execution  of  anything  written 
by  Milton."  Together  with  Paradise  Regained  was 
published  Samson  Agonistes,  probably  the  last  poem 
composed  by  Milton.  It  was  after  the  mannei  of  the 
ancient  Greek  drama,  and  contains  many  noble  pas- 
Bages.  In  1673  Milton  published  an  edition  of  his  col- 
lected poems.  During  the  last  three  yeai-s  of  his  life, 
he  also  published  some  of  his  earlier  and  later  prose 
works. 

Notwithstanding  the  strict  temperance  and  reg- 
ularity of  life  which  the  poet  seems  always  to  have 
observed,  he  had  been  for  many  years  afflicted  with 
the  gout.  We  are  told  by  one  of  his  biographei*s 
that  "  an  ancient  clergyman  of  Dorsetshire,  Dr. 
Wright,  found  John  Milton  in  a  small  chamber 
hung  with  rusty  green,  sitting  in  an  elbow-chair,  and 
dressed  neatly  in  black  ;  pale,  but  not  cadaverous,  his 

hands  and  feet  gouty,  and  with  chalk-stones 

He  used  also  to  sit  in  a  gray  coaree  cloth  coat  at  the 
door  of  his  house  near  Bunhill  Fields,  in  warm  sunny 
weather,  to  enjoy  the  fresh  air ;  and  so,  as  well  as  in 
his  room,  received  the  visits  of  people  of  distinguished 
parts  "as  well  as  quality."  His  wife  speaks  of  his 
dining  alone  with  her  in  October,  1674,  when  he 
"  talked  and  discoursed  sensibly  and  well,  and  Avas  very 
merry,  and  seemed  to  be  in  good  health  of  body."  On 
the  8th  of  the  following  month,  November,  he  died 
quietly  and  without  pain,  having  nearly  completed  his 
sixty-sixth  year.  He  was  buried  in  St.  Giles's  Church, 
and  "the  funeral  was  attended  by  all  the  author's 
leanied  and  great  friends  in  London,  not  without  a 
friendly  concourse  of  the  vulgar."  A  monument 
was  erected  to  his  memory  in  Westminster  Abbey 
in  1737. 


riV  LIFE    OF  MILTON-. 

Milton  was  of  middle  height,  and  It  Is  said  that  his 
deportment  was  affable,  and  his  gait  erect  and  manly, 
bespeaking  courage  and  undauntedness.  He  had 
great  personal  beauty,  and  his  complexion  retained 
even  In  later  life  much  of  its  freshness,  and  the 
appearance  of  his  eyes  was  not  affected  by  their  blind- 
ness. His  habits  were  simple,  and '  music  seems, 
especially  in  his  latter  years,  to  have  been  his  chief 
recreation.     He  was  to  the  end  of  his  life  a  student 


TWO    OF    MILTON'S    SONNETS 
I. 

On  his  Blindness. 

When  I  consider  how  my  light  is  spent 
Ere  half  my  days,  in  this  dark  world  and  wide, 
And  that  one  talent,  which  is  death  to  hide, 
Lodged  with  me  useless,  though  my  soul  more  hew. 
To  sen-e  therewith  my  j\Iaker,  and  present 
My  true  account,  lest  He  returning  chide; 
"  Doth  God  exact  day-Labor,  light  denied  ?  " 
I  fondly  ask.     But  Patience,  to  prevent 
That  murmiu",  soon  repUes:  "God  doth  not  need 
Either  man's  work  or  his  o\vn  gifts :  who  best 

Bear  his  mild  yoke,  they  serve  him  best.     His  state 
Is  kmgly ;  thousands  at  his  bidding  speed, 
And  post  o'er  land  and  ocean  mthout  rest : 
They  also  sen'e  who  onlj  stand  and  wait." 


To    Cyriac    Skinner. 

Cyriac,  this  three  years  day  these  eyes,  though  dear 

To  outward  new  of  blemish  or  of  spot. 

Bereft  of  hght  their  seeuig  have  forgot; 
Nor  to  their  idle  orbs  doth  sight  appear 
Of  sun,  or  moon,  or  star,  throughout  the  year, 

Or  man,  or  woman.     Yet  I  argue  not 

Against  Heaven's  hand  or  will,  nor  bate  a  jot 
Of  heart  or  ho^je ;  but  stiU  bear  up  and  steer 
Right  onward.     What  supports  me,  dost  thou  ask  ? 

The  conscience.  Friend,  to  have  Lst  *hem  overplied 
In  Liberty's  defence,  my  noble  task, 

Of  which  aU  Eurcjie  rings  from  side  to  side, 
rhis  thought  might  lead  me  through  the  world's  vain  mjute 

Content  though  blind,  had  I  no  better  guide. 


THE   VERSE* 

The  measure  is  English  Heroic  Yerse  wiLhcmt 
i?ime,  as  that  of  Homer  in  Greek,  and  of  Virgil  in 
Latin;  llime  being  no  necessary  Adjunct  or  true  Or- 
nament of  Poem  or  good  Verse,  in  longer  Works  es- 
pecially, but  the  Invention  of  a  barbarous  Age  to  set 
off  wretched  matter  and  lame  Meeter ;  grac't  indeed 
since  by  the  use  of  some  famous  modern  Poets  carried 
away  by  Custom,  but  much  to  their  own  vexation, 
hindrance,  and  restraint,  to  express  many  things  other- 
wise, and  for  the  most  part  worse,  then  else  they 
would  have  exprest  them.  Not  without  cause,  there- 
fore, some  both  Italian  and  Spanish  Poets  of  prime 
note  have  rejected  Rime  both  in  longer  and  shorter 
Works,  as  have  also  long  since  our  best  English 
Tragedies,  as  a  thing  of  itself  to  all  judicious  eares 
triveal^nd  of  no  true  musical  delight ;  which  consists 
only  in  apt  Numbers,  fit  quantity  of  Syllables,  and  the 
sense  variously  drawn  out  from  one  verse  into  another, 
not  in  the  jingling  sounds  of  like  endings,  a  fault 
avoyded  by  the  learned  Ancients  both  In  Poetry  and 
all  good  Oratory.  This  neglect  then  of  Rime  so  Ht- 
tle  is  to  be  taken  for  a  defect,  though  it  may  seem  so 
perhaps  to  vulgar  readers,  that  It  rather  is  to  be 
esteem'd  an  example  set,  the  Crest  in  English,  of  ancient 
liberty  recover'd  to  Heroic  Poem  from  the  troublcEOia 
and  modern  bondage  of  Rimeing 

*This  was  printed  in  the  second  title-page  of  the  first  edition,  ai 
"  a  reason  why  the  Poem  rimes  not."  The  original  spelling  is  pre- 
Eerred. 


PAKADISE  LOSl'. 


BOOK   I. 

THE  ARGUMENT. 

This  first  book  proposes  first,  in  brief,  the  whole  subject,  man's  dis- 
obedience, and  the  loss  thereupon  of  Paradise  wherein  he  was 
placed  ;  then  touches  the  prime  cause  of  his  fall,  the  serpent,  ot 
rather  Satan  in  the  serpent ;  who,  revolting  from  God  and  draw- 
ing to  his  side  many  legions  of  angels,  was,  by  the  command  of 
God,  driven  out  of  Heaven  with  all  his  crew  into  the  great  deep. 
Which  action  passed  over,  the  poem  hastes  into  the  midst  of 
things,  presenting  Satan  with  his  angels  now  fallen  into  Hell,  de- 
scribed here,  not  in  the  centre  (for  Heaven  and  Earth  maj-  be  sup- 
posed as  jet  not  made,  certainly  not  yet  accursed),  but  in  a  pltice 
of  utter  darkness,  fitliest  called  Chaos:  Here  Satan,  with  his  an- 
gels, lying  on  the  burning  lake,  thunder-struck  and  astonished, 
after  a  certain  space  recovers  as  from  confusion,  calls  up  him  who 
next  in  order  and  dignity  lay  by  him  ;  they  confer  of  their  miser 
able  fell.  Satan  awakens  all  his  legions,  who  lay  till  then  in  the 
same  manner  confounded  ;  thej'  rise  ;  their  numbers,  array  of  bat- 
tle, their  chief  leaders  named  according  to  the  idols  known  after- 
wards in  Canaan  and  the  countries  adjoining.  To  these  Satan  di- 
rects his  speech,  comforts  them  with  hope  yet  of  regaining  Heaven  ; 
but  tells  them  lastly  of  a  new  world  and  new  kind  of  creature  to 
be  created,  according  to  an  ancient  prophecj-  or  report  in  Heaven ; 
(for  that  angels  were  long  before  this  visible  creation,  was  the  opin- 
ion of  many  ancient  Fathers).  To  find  out  the  truth  of  this  proph- 
ecy, and  what  to  determine  thereon,  he  refers  to  a  full  council. 
VThat  his  associates  thence  attempt.  Pandemonium,  the  palaca 
of  Satan,  rises,  suddenly  built  out  of  the  deep  :  the  infernal  peers 
there  sit  in  council. 

Of  man's  first  disobedience  and  the  fi-uit 
Of  that  forbidden  tree,  whose  mortal  taste 

Lines  1  -  4.     See  Genesis  iii.  2.  mortal,  causmg  deacb 


PARADISE  LOST. 


[Boob  T 


Brought  death  into  the  world  and  all  our  woe, 

With  loss  of  Eden,  till  one  greater  Man 

Restore  us  and  regain  the  blissful  seat, 

Sing,  heavenly  jNIuse  !  that  on  the  secret  top 

Of  Oreb,  or  o^  Piuai,  didst  iuspir** 

That  shepherd,  who  first  taught  the  cLossn  seed 

In  the  beginning  how  the  heavens  and  earth 

Rose  out  of  Chaos :  or,  if  Sion  hill 

Delight  thee  more,  and  Siloa's  brook  that  flowed 

Fast  by  the  oracle  of  God,  I  thence 

Invoke  thy  aid  to  my  adventurous  song, 

That  with  no  middle  flight  intends  to  soar 

Above  the  Aonian  mount,  while  it  pursues 

Tbings  unattempted  yet  in  prose  or  rhyme. 


10 


And  chiefly  thou,  O  Spirit,  that  dost  prefer 
Before  all  temples  the  upright  heart  and  pure. 
Instruct  me,  for  thou  know'st;  thou  from  the  first 
Wast  present,  and,  with  mighty  wings  outspread,      30 
Dove-like  sat'st  brooding  on  the  vast  abyss. 
And  mad'st  it  pregnant :  what  in  me  is  dark 


4.  one  greater  Man.  "  For  as 
in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ 
ghall  all  be  made  alive."  1  Cor- 
inthians XV. 22. 

6.  secret .1  retired ;  apart.  See 
Exodus  iii.  1;  xix.  20;  xx.  21; 
xxiv.  15-18. 

7.  Of  Oreb^i  or  of  Sinai.  Iloreb 
Is  a  summit  of  the  ridge  called 
Sinai,  in  the  north-western  part 
i\f  Arabia,  between  the  two  gulfs 
of  the  Red  Sea. 

8.  That  shepherd.  "  Now  Mo- 
Bes  kept  the  tlock  of  .Tethro,  his 
father-in-law,  the  priest  of  Mid- 
Ian  ;  and  he  led  the  flock  to  the 
back  side  of  the  desert,  and  came 
to  the  moxmtain  of  God,  even  to 
Horeb."     Ex.  lii.  1.  —  tiie  chosen 

eed,  the  Hebrews  or  Israelites. 
See  1  Chronicles  xvi.  13. 

9.  In  the  b.^nning.  See  Gen- 
bbIs  i.  1 


10.  Chaos,  the  state  of  confu 
siou  in  which  matter  is  sxipposed 
to  have  existed  before  the  Crea- 
tion. —  Sion  hill,  one  of  the  hilla 
of  Jerusalem,  usually  called 
Mount  Zion. 

11.  Siloa''s  brook.  The  pool  of 
Siloam  (see  .John  ix.  7)  was  on  the 
south  of  Jerusalem. 

12.  Fast  bi/,  close  by.  —  the  ora 
cle  of  Goil  the  Temple. 

15.  the  Aonian  mount,  Mount 
Helicon  in  Greece,  the  seat  of  the 
Muses,  whence  the  Grecian  p-oeti 
were  supposed  to  draw  their  in 
spiration.  It  was  situated  id 
Aonia,  a  part  of  IJoeotia. 

21.  "  And  the  Spirit  of  God 
moved  upon  the  face  of  t)ie  wa^ 
ters."  Gen.  i.  2.  —  Dove-like 
"lie  saw  the  Si>irit.of  God,  d» 
pcending  like  a  dove  "  Matthew 
iii.  16. 


Book  I.j  PARADISE  LOST.  8 

tllumme ;  what  is  low,  raise  and  support ; 

That  to  the  height  of  this  great  argument 

[  may  assert  eternal  Providence,  2g 

And  justify  the  ways  of  God  to  men. 

Say  first  (for  Heaven  hides  nothing  from  thy  viow 
Nor  the  deep  tract  of  Hell),  say  first  Avhat  cause 
Moved  our  grand  parents  in  that  happy  state, 
Favored  of  Heaven  so  highly,  to  fall  off  go 

From  their  Creator  and  transgress  his  will 
For  one  restraint,  lords  of  the  world  besides  ? 
Who  first  seduced  them  to  that  foul  revolt  ? 
The  infernal  serpent ;  he  it  was,  whose  guile, 
Stirred  up  with  envy  and  revenge,  deceived  86 

The  mother  of  mankind,  what  time  his  pride 
Had  cast  him  out  from  Heaven,  with  all  his  host 
Of  rebel  angels,  by  whose  aid,  aspiring 
To  set  himself  in  glory  above  his  peers, 
He  trusted  to  have  equalled  the  Most  High,  40 

If  he  opposed  ;  and  with  ambitious  aim 
Against  the  throne  and  monarchy  of  God 
Raised  impious  war  in  Heaven  and  battle  proud, 
With  vain  attempt.      Him  the  almighty  Power 
Hurled  headlong  flaming  from  the  ethereal  sky,         45 
With  hideous  ruin  and  combustion,  down 
To  bottomless  perdition,  there  to  dwell 
In  adamantine  chains  and  penal  fire, 
Who  dui-st  defy  the  Omnipotent  to  arms. 
Nine  times  the  space  that  measures  day  and  night    50 
To  mortal  men,  he  with  his  horrid  crew 

24.  arguvient^  subject.  45.  the  ethereal  sky,  heaven 

25.  assert,  maintain  by  proof.  4rt-49.  See  Book  VI. 

26.  justify,  show  to  be  ju.'^t.  4S.  wlamnntme,  made  of  ada- 
32.  lords  of  the  ivorUl  besides,  mant.  the  hardest  substance,  and 

Bee  Gen.  i.  26-28,  and  Gen.  ii.  16,  therefore  not  to  be  broken  or  de- 

17.  Stroyed. 

SQ.  what  tirfie,  yfhen.  49.  MVio.      The    antecedent    i( 

89.  peers,  equals.  Him  in  line  44. 

44.  Him.    See  line  34.  50    the  space,  the  space  of  tima 


4  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  I 

Lay  vanquished,  rolling  In  the  fiery  gulf, 

Confounded  though  Immortal.     But  his  doom 

Reserved  him  to  more  wrath ;  for  now  the  thought 

Both  of  lost  ha})plness  and  lasting  pain  y 

Torments  him.      Hound  he  throws  his  baleful  eyes, 

That  witnessed  huge  affliction  and  dismay, 

Mixed  v/Ith  obdurate  pride  and  steadfast  hate. 

At  once,  as  far  as  angels  ken,  he  views 

The  dismal  situation  waste  and  wild :  go 

A  dungeon  horrible  on  all  sides  round 

As  one  great  furnace  flamed ;  yet  from  those  flames 

No  light,  but  rather  darkness  visible 

Served  only  to  discover  sights  of  woe, 

Regions  of  sorrow,  doleful  shades,  where  peace  ^ 

And  rest  can  never  dwell,  hope  never  comes 

That  comes  to  all ;  but  torture  without  end 

Still  urges,  and  a  fiery  deluge,  fed 

With  ever-burning  sulphur  unconsumed. 

Such  place  eternal  justice  had  prepared  «(j 

For  those  rebellious ;  here  their  prison  ordained 

In  utter  darkness,  and  their  portion  set 

As  far  removed  from  God  and  light  of  Heaven 

As  from  the  centre  thrice  to  the  utmost  pole. 

O  hoAv  unlike  the  place  fi'om  whence  they  fell !         jj 

There,  the  companions  of  his  foil,  o'erwhelmed 

With  floods  and  whirlwinds  of  tempestuous  fire, 

He  soon  discerns ;  and,  weltering  by  his  side, 

One  next  himself  in  power  and  next  In  crime, 

Long  after  known  in  Palestine,  and  named  qq 

Beelzebub  :  To  whom  the  arch-enemy 

67.  ivitnessed  perhaps  means        74.  the  centre^  the  centre  of  th« 
in  this  place,  testified  ;  expressed     World,  as  described  in  Book  "VII., 

69.  A;f7i,  know  by  setVng  lines  224-231. 

62.  .4s,  like.  80.    Palestine.      Baalzebub    oi 

64.  discover,  lay  open  ;  show.  Beelzebub  was  the  god  of  Ekron 

68.  urges,  besets ;  oppresses.  a  city  of  the  Philistines,  in  Pal 
72.  utter,  outer.     "  Cast  ye  the  estine 

anprofitable   servant   into   outer 
darkness."    Matt.  xxv.  30. 


Book  L]  PARADISE  LOST.  5 

(And  thence  in   Pleaven   called   Satan),  with  bold 

words 
Breaking  the  horrid  silence,  thus  began : 

"If    thou    beest    he  —  but    0    how    fallen!    how 
changed 
From  him,  who  in  the  happy  realms  of  light,  35 

Clothed  with  transcendent  brightness,  didst  outshine 
Myriads  though  bright!  —  if  he,  whom  mutual  league, 
United  thoughts  and  counsels,  equal  hope 
And  hazard  in  the  glorious  enterprise, 
Joined  with  me  once,  now  misery  hath  joined  90 

In  equal  ruin  —  into  what  pit  thou  seest 
From  what  height  fallen,  so  much  the  stronger  proved 
He  with  his  thunder :  and  till  then  who  knew 
The  force  of  those  dire  arms  ?     Yet  not  for  those, 
Nor  what  tlie  potent  victor  in  his  rage  95 

Can  else  inflict,  do  I  repent  or  change 
(Though  changed  in  outward  lustre)  that  fixed  mind 
And  high  disdain  from  sense  of  injured  merit. 
That  with  the  Mightiest  raised  me  to  contend, 
And  to  the  fierce  contention  brought  along  100 

Innumerable  force  of  spirits  armed. 
That  dui-st  dislike  his  reign,  and,  me  preferring, 
His  utmost  power  with  adverse  power  opposed. 
In  dubious  battle  on  the  plains  of  Heaven, 
And  shook  his  throne.    AVhat  thougli  the  field  be  lost  ? 
All  is  not  lost ;  the  unconcjuerable  Avill,  lotj 

And  study  of  revenge,  immortal  hate, 
And  courage  never  to  submit  or  yield, 
And  what  is  else  not  to  be  overcome  ; 
That  glory  never  shall  his  wrath  or  might  no 

82.  thence   called    Satan.    The  101.  forcr'^  forces. 

Hebrew  word  Satan  means  en«-  102.  me  prffurring,  making  me 

3iy  or  .idver.sary .  first  or   leader,   or   choosing    me 

87.  if  he.  See  line  84.  ratiier. 

91.  the  break  in  this  sentence  110.  T/iai  fijry,  theglory  of  my 

<hows  that  its  structure  Ls  iueom-  submis.^ion. 
p:et«. 


6  PARADISE  LOST  [Boo»  i 

Extort  from  me.      To  bow  and  sue  for  grace 

With  suppliant  knee,  and  deify  bis  power, 

VVlio  from  the  terror  of  this  grm  so  late 

Doubted  his  empire ;  that  were  low  indeed ! 

That  were  an  ignominy  and  shame  beneath  jy 

This  downfall ;  since  by  fate  the  strength  of  godfl 

And  this  empyreal  substance  caimot  fail ; 

Since,  through  experience  of  this  great  event, 

In  arms  not  worse,  in  foresight  much  advanced, 

We  may  with  more  successful  hope  resolve  120 

To  wage  by  force  or  guile   eternal  war. 

Irreconcilable  to  our  grand  foe. 

Who  now  triumphs,  and  in  the  excess  of  joy 

Sole  reigning  holds  the  tyranny  of  Heaven." 


So  spake  the  apostate  angel,  though  in  pain, 
Vaunting  aloud,  but  racked  with  deep  despair; 
And  him  thus  answered  soon  his  bold  compeer: 


126 


"  0  prince,  0  chief  of  many  throned  Powers, 
That  led  the  embattled  Seraphim  to  war 
Under  thy  conduct,  and,  in  dreadful  deeds  130 

Fearless,  endangered  Heaven's  perpetual  King, 
And  put  to  proof  his  high  supremacy, 
Whether  upheld  by  strength,  or  chance,  or  fate ; 
Too  well  I  see  and  rue  the  dire  event. 
That  with  sad  overthrow  and  foul  defeat  13,(5 

Hath  lost  us  Heaven,  and  all  this  mighty  host 
In  horrible  destruction  laid  thus  low. 
As  far  as  gods  and  heavenly  essences 


117.  empipeal  suhHance,  angelic        129.  embattled,  ranged  iu  order 
nature.     See  II.  771  of  battle. 

124.     tyranny.       The    original        1.30.  conrhict,  leadership, 
meaning  of  this  word  is  absolute        138.  heavenly  essences.    See  e?/j. 
rule.    The  poet  here  seems  to  join     pyrtal  substance,  above, 
with  it  the  idea  which  the  word 
commonly  conveys  to   us         of, 
over. 


Book  I.]  PARADISE  LOST.  1 

Can  perish ;  for  the  mind  and  spirit  remains 

tnvincible,  aad  vigor  soon  returns,  ijj 

Though  all  our  glory  extinct,  and  happy  state 

Here  swallowed  up  in  endless  misery. 

But  what  if  he  our  conqueror  (whom  I  now 

Of  force  believe  almighty,  since  no  less 

Than  such  could  have  o'erpowered  such  force  as  oui-s) 

Have  left  us  this  our  spirit  and  strength  entire,        i46 

Strongly  to  suffer  and  support  our  pains ; 

That  we  may  so  suffice  his  vengeful  ire, 

Or  do  him  mightier  service,  as  his  thralls 

By  right  of  war,  whate'er  his  business  be,  jgo 

Here  in  the  heart  of  Hell  to  work  in  fire, 

Or  do  his  errands  in  the  gloomy  deep. 

What  can  it  then  avail,  though  yet  we  feel 

Strength  undiminished,  or  eternal  being 

To  undergo  eternal  punishment  ?  "  155 

Whereto  with  speedy  words  the  Arch-fiend  replied : 

"  Fallen  Cherub,  to  be  weak  is  miserable, 
Doing  or  suffering  :  but  of  this  be  sure, 
To  do  aught  good  never  will  be  our  task ; 
But  ever  to  do  ill  our  sole  delight,  iqc 

A.S  being  the  contrary  to  his  high  will 
W^hom  we  resist.     If  then  his  providence 
Out  of  our  evil  seek  to  bring  forth  good, 
Our  labor  must  be  to  pervert  that  end, 
And  out  of  good  still  to  find  means  of  evil ;  2^ 

Which  oft-times  may  succeed,  so  as  perhaps 
Shall  grieve  him,  if  I  fail  not,  and  disturb 
His  inmost  counsels  from  their  destined  aim. 
But  see !  the  angry  Victor  hath  recalled 

141.  g-^or?/,  brightness.    See  line  149.  «/(m?/5,  slaves. 

B7.  1.51.  Hf^re,  whether  here. 

144.  Of  force  believe,  am  com-  To2.  tiie  gloomy  derp.  Chaos. 

pelled  to  believe.  167.  if  I  fail  not,  unless  I  de- 

148.  suffice,  satisfy.  ceive  myself. 


8  PARADISE  LOST  [Book  I 

His  ministers  of  vengeance  and  pursuit  171 

Back  to  the  gates  of  Heaven ;  the  sulphurous  hail 

Shot  after  us  In  storm,  o'er-blown,  hath  laid 

The  fiery  surge,  that  from  the  precipice 

Of  Heaven  received  us  falling ;  and  the  thunder, 

Winged  with  red  lightning  and  Impetuous  rage,       175 

Perhaps  hath  spent  his  shafts,  and  ceases  now 

To  bellow  through  the  vast  and  boundless  deep. 

Let  us  not  slip  the  occasion,  whether  scorn 

Or  satiate  fury  yield  It  from  our  foe. 

Seest  thou  yon  dreary  plain,  forlorn  and  wild,  igo 

The  seat  of  desolation,  void  of  light, 

Save  what  the  glimmering  of  these  livid  flames 

Casts  pale  and  dreadful  ?     Thither  let  us  tend 

From  off  the  tossing  of  these  fiery  waves ; 

There  rest.  If  any  rest  can  harbor  there,  186 

And,  re-assembling  our  afflicted  Powers, 

Consult  how  we  may  henceforth  most  offend 

Our  enemy ;  our  own  loss  how  repair ; 

How  overcome  this  dire  calamity ; 

What  reinforcement  we  may  gain  from  hope ;  jgQ 

If  not,  what  resolution  from  despair." 

Thus  Satan,  talking  to  his  nearest  mate, 
With  head  uplift  above  the  Avave,  and  eyes 
That  sparkling  blazed ;  his  other  parts  besides 
Prone  on  the  flood,  extended  long  and  large,  195 

Lay  floating  many  a  rood.  In  bulk  as  huge 
As  whom  the  fables  name  of  monstrous  size, 
Titanian  or  Earth-born,  that  warred  on  Jove, 

372.  Zfl'V/,  beaten  down.  197.  whom,  those  whom.  —  tJu 

178.  slip  the  occasion^  lose  the     fahleft,  the  fables  of  Grecian  my 
ipportunity.  thology. 

179.  satiate,  satiated.  198.  Tilaviari  or  Earth-bom. 
183.  is;j//,  direct  our  course.  whether  Titans  or  Giants.  Tht 
\86.  afflicted,  beaten  do\vu.  Giants  were  .sons  of  Eaitli. — 
192.  t/ius,  thus  spoke.  Jove,  Jupiter  or  Zeus. 

195  prone,  lying  along. 


Book  I.]  PARADISE  LOST.  9 

Briareos,  or  Typlion  wliom  the  den 

By  ancient.  Tarsus  held ;  or  that  sea-beast  jjqc 

Leviathan,  which  God  of  all  his  works 

Created  hngest  that  swim  the  ocean  stream:  — 

Him,  haply  slumbering  on  the  Norway  foam, 

The  pilot  of  some  smiU  night-formdered  skiff 

Deeming  some  island,  oft,  as  seamen  tell,  205 

With  fixed  anchor  in  his  scaly  rind, 

Moors  by  his  side  under  the  lee,  while  night 

Invests  the  sea,  and  wished  morn  delays :  — 

So  stretched  out  huge  in  length  the  Arch-fiend  lay, 

Chained  on  the  burning  lake,  nor  ever  thence  210 

Had  risen  or  heaved  his  head,  but  that  the  \vill 

And  high  permission  of  all-ruling  Heaven 

Left  him  at  large  to  his  own  dark  designs, 

That  with  reiterated  crimes  he  might 

Heap  on  himself  damnation,  while  he  sought  2I6 

Evil  to  others ;  and  enraged  might  see, 

How  all  his  malice  served  but  to  bring  forth 

Infinite  goodness,  grace,  and  mercy  shown 

On  man  by  him  seduced,  but  on  himself 

Treble  confusion,  wrath,  and  vengeance  poured.      22c 

Forthwith  upright  he  rears  from  off  the  pool 
His  mighty  stature  ;  on  each  hand  the  flames 
Driven  backward  slope  their  pointing  spires,  and,  rolled 
In  billows,  leave  In  the  midst  a  horrid  vale. 
Then  with  expanded  wings  he  steers  his  flight  ^ 

Aloft,  Incumbent  on  the  dusky  air, 
That  felt  unusual  weight,  till  on  dry  land 
He  lights.  If  it  were  land  that  ever  burned 

199.    Briareos   was   one   of  the  203.  Imply,  hy  chance. 

Giants,    described    as    having    a  204.  nighi-found>r(d,o\eTXa\«n 

hundred  arms   and   fifty   heads,  and  stopped  by  the  darkness. 

T(//>/)on  was  a  giant  who  breathed  207.  vnder  the  ke,  away  from 

fire  from  a  hundred  heads.     His  the  wind. 

den  was  in  Cilicia,  a  part  of  Asia  208.  Iiivest.<!,  clothes  as  with  S 

Minor,   of  whicli   nndint  Tarsus  garment, 

^aft  tht'  capital.  211.   //«-/,  would  hare. 

201.    Leviathan,  the  whale 


10  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  I 

With  solid  as  the  lake  with  liquid  fire, 

And  such  appeared  in  hue,  as  when  the  force  230 

Of  subterranean  wind  transports  a  hill 

Torn  from  Pelorus,  or  the  shattered  side 

Of  thundering  ^tna,  whose  combustible 

And  fuelled  entrails,  thence  conceiving  fire, 

Sublimed  with  mineral  fury  aid  the  winds,  23c 

And  leave  a  singed  bottom  all  involved 

With  stench  and  smoke ;  such  resting  found  the  sole 

Of  unblest  feet.      Him  followed  his  next  mate. 

Both  glorying  to  have  scaped  the  Stygian  flood 

As  gods  and  by  their  own  recovered  strength,  2-4C 

Not  by  the  sufferance  of  supernal  power. 

"  Is  this  the  region,  this  the  soil,  the  clime," 
Said  then  the  lost  Archangel,  "  this  the  seat. 
That  we   must   change  for  Heaven  ?    this   mournful 

gloom 
For  that  celestial  light  ?     Be  it  so,  since  he  245 

Who  now  is  sovran  can  dispose  and  bid 
What  shall  be  right ;  farthest  from  him  is  best 
Whom  reason  hath  equalled,  force  hath  made  supreme 
Above  his  equals.     Farewell,  happy  fields. 
Where  joy  forever  dwells  !  hail,  horrors  !  hail,         250 
Infernal  world !  and  thou,  profoundest  Hell, 
Receive  thy  new  possessor,  one  Avho  bi-ings 
A  mind  not  to  be  changed  by  place  or  time. 
The  mind  is  its  own  place,  and  in  itself 
Can  make  a  heaven  of  Hell,  a  hell  of  Heaven.         255 
What  matter  where,  if  I  be  still  the  same, 
And  what  I  should  be,  all  but  less  than  he 

232.  Pelorus  is  the  north-east-  241.  Not  by  the  leave  of  heav 

em  point  of  the  island  of  Sicily.  enly  power. 

236.  5MW/??ie6/,  changed  into  va-  246.  so tra?;,  sovereign,  from  the 

wr  by  heat.  Italian  "  sovrano." 

_  239.  5ca7?ec?,  escaped. — the  Slyg-  248.  er/wa/Zerf,  made  equal. 

ian  flood.    According  to  Grecian  257.  but  less,  except  being  less 
tnythology,  tlie  Styx  was  the  chief 
river  of  the  lower  world 


Book  I.]  PARADISE  LOST.  1] 

Whom  tlumder  liath  made  greater  ?     Here  at  least 

We  shall  be  free  ;  the  Almighty  hath  not  built 

Here  for  his  envy,  Avill  not  drive  us  hence  ;  26C 

Here  we  may  reign  secure ;  and  in  my  choice 

To  reign  is  worth  ambition,  though  in  Hell ; 

Better  to  reign  in  Hell  than  serve  in  Heaven. 

But  wherefore  let  we  then  our  fliithful  friends, 

The  associates  and  copartners  of  our  loss,  265 

Lie  thus  astonished  on  the  oblivious  pool, 

And  call  them  not  to  share  with  us  their  part 

In  this  unhappy  mansion,  or  once  more 

With  rallied  arms  to  try  what  may  be  yet 

Regained  in  Heaven,  or  what  more  lost  in  Hell  ?"27C 

So  Satan  spake,  and  him  Beelzebub 
Thus  answered  :  —  "  Leader  of  those  armies  bright, 
Which  but  the  Omnipotent  none  could  have  foiled, 
If  once  they  hear  that  voice,  their  liveliest  pledge 
Of  hopes  in  fears  and  dangers,  heard  so  oft  276 

In  worst  extremes,  and  on  the  perilous  edge 
Of  battle  when  it  raged,  in  all  assaidts 
Their  surest  signal,  they  will  soon  resume 
New  courage  and  revive,  though  now  they  lie 
Grovelling  and  prostrate  on  yon  lake  of  fire,  280 

As  we  erewhile,  astounded  and  amazed  ; 
No  wonder,  fallen  such  a  pernicious  height  I  " 

He  scarce  had  ceased,  when  the  superior  Fiend 
Was  moving  toward  the  shore ;  his  ponderous  shield, 
Ethereal  temper,  massy,  large,  and  round,  288 

Behind  him  cast  ;  the  broad  circumference 
Hung  on  his  shoulders  like  the  moon,  whose  orb 
Through  optic  glass  the  Tuscan  artist  views 

260.  for  his  envy,  that  he  may  to  a  right  degree  of  hardness,  in 

envj"  us  possession  of  this  place.  the  purest  element. 

2S2. /a//e7!,  fallen  through  or  288.  the  Tuscan  artist.    Galileo, 

from.  of  Florence  in  Tuscany,  was  the 

285.  Ethereal  temper,  of  hear-  first  who  turned  the  0/5/ /cj'iass,  or 

enly  make  ;  tempered,  or  formed  telescoxte,  to  the  heavens.   He  was 


12  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  I 

At  evening,  from  the  top  of  Fesole, 

Or  in  Valdarno,  to  descry  new  lands,"  29C 

Rivers,  or  mountains  in  her  spotty  globe. 

His  spear  (to  equal  wlilch  the  tallest  pine 

Hewn  on  Norwegian  hills  to  be  the  mast 

Of  some  great  ammiral  were  but  a  wand) 

He  walked  with,  to  support  uneasy  steps  295 

Over  the  burning  marie,  not  like  those  steps 

On  Heaven's  azure ;  and  the  torrid  clime 

Smote  on  him  sore  besides,  vaulted  Avith  fire. 

Nathless  he  so  endured,  till  on  the  beach 

Of  that  inflamed  sea  he  stood,  aiid  called  goo 

His  legions,  angel-forms,  who  lay  intranced. 

Thick  as  autumnal  leaves  that  strew  the  brooks 

In  Vallombrosa,  where  the  Etrurian  shades 

High  over-arched  imbower ;  or  scattered  sedge 

Afloat,  when  with  fierce  winds  Orion  armed  30f 

Hath  vexed  the  Red-Sea  coast,  whose  waves  o'erthrew 

Busiris  and  his  INIemphian  chivalry, 

While  with  perfidious  hatred  they  pursued 

The  sojourners  of  Goshen,  who  beheld 

From  the  safe  shore  their  floating  carcasses  31Q 

And  broken  chariot-wheels ;  so  thick  bestrown, 

contemporary  with  Miltoa.  —  ar-  death  was  placed  among  the  stars 

tist,  one  skilled  in  science.  where  he  appears  with  sword  an<J 

289.  Fesole,  Fiesole,  near  Flor-  holt.     The  setting  of  the  constel- 
ence.  lation  of  Orion  opposite  to  the  Sua, 

290.  Valdarno,   or  Val   d'Arno,  in  November,  was  usujilly  attend- 
the  valley  of  the  river  Arno,  on  ed  with  winds  and  storms. 
»rhich  Florence  is  situated.  307.  Busiris,  Pharaoh.  —  Me7n- 

294.  nmmirnl,  from  the  Italian  77/; /rt/i,  Egyptian  ;  Memphis  being 

"  amminiglio,"     admiral.       This  a  chief  city  of  ancient  Egypt. — 

word  was  sometimes  used  to  de-  cliii-alry,   horsemen  ;    those   who 

note  the  principal  vessel  in  a  fleet,  use  horses  in  fight, 

the  ship  which  carried  the  admi-  308.  tkey  pursued.    See  Ex.  xiv. 

fal.  309.  t'lfl   sojourners  of  Goshen, 

299.  Nathless,  nevertheless.  the   Israelites,   who,   M'hen    they 

303.  Vallombrosa,  a  wooded  val-  dwelt  in  Egypt,  inhabited  a  dis- 

fey  in  Tuscany  (anciently  called  trict  called  Goshen.  —  ivhn  beheld. 

Btruria),    about    eighteen    miles  "  And  Israel  saw  the  Egyptiani 

from  Florence.  de:id  upon  the  sea-shore."     Bx 

305.  Orion   armed.     Orion    was  xiv.  30. 
a   giant   hunter,   who    after   his 


Book  I.]  PARADISE  LOST.  18 

Abject  and  lost  lay  these,  covering  the  flood, 

Under  amazement  of  their  hideous  change. 

He  called  so  loud,  that  all  the  hollow  deep 

Of  Hell  resounded  ;  —  "  Princes,  Potentates,  815 

Warriors,  the  flower  of  Heaven  —  once  yours,  now 

lost  — 
If  such  astonishment  as  this  can  seize 
Eternal  spirits  :  —  or  have  ye  chosen  this  place 
After  the  toil  of  battle  to  repose 
Your  wearied  virtue,  for  the  ease  you  find  83C 

To  slumber  here  as  in  the  vales  of  Heaven  ? 
Or  in  this  abject  posture  have  ye  sworn 
To  adore  the  conqueror,  who  now  beholds 
Cherub  and  Seraph  rolling  in  the  flood 
With  scattered  arms  and  ensigns  ;  till  anon  825 

His  swift  pursuers  from  Heaven-gates  discern 
The  advantage,  and  descending  tread  us  down 
Thus  drooping ;  or  with  linked  thunderbolts 
Transfix  us  to  the  bottom  of  this  gulf? 
Awake,  arise,  or  be  forever  fallen  I  '*  830 

They  heard  and  were  abashed,  and  up  they  sprung 
Upon  the  wing  ;  as  when  men  wont  to  watch, 
On  duty  sleeping  found  by  whom  they  dread, 
Rouse  and  bestir  themselves  ere  well  awake. 
Nor  did  they  not  perceive  the  evil  plight  836 

In  which  they  were,  or  the  fierce  pains  not  feel ; 
Yet  to  their  general's  voice  they  soon  obeyed. 
Innumerable.     As  when  the  potent  rod 
Of  Amram's  son,  in  Egypt's  evil  day. 
Waved  round  the  coast  up  called  a  pitchy  cloud     840 
Of  locusts,  warping  on  the  eastern  wind, 

312.  Abject,  cast  down;   over-       325.  anon,  presently ;  soon. 
Ihrown.  335.  Nor  did  they  not  perceive^ 

317.  astonishment,  confusion  of     and  they  did  perceive. 

mind  ;  dismay.  339.  Amram^s  s-on,  Moses.    See 

318,  322.  or  —  or,  either  —  or.       Ex.  x.  13. 

320.  rjVi»e,  strength;  vigor. —        341.  warping,  proceeding  with 
J  or,  for  the  sake  of.  a  waving  motion. 


14  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  I. 

That  o*er  the  realm  of  impious  Pharaoh  hung 

Like  night,  and  darkened  all  the  land  of  Nile : 

So  numberless  were  those  bad  angels  seen 

Hovering  on  wing  under  the  cope  of  Hell,  S4i 

'Twixt  upper,  nether,  and  surrounding  fires  ; 

Till,  as  a  signal  given,  the  uplifted  spear 

Of  their  great  Sultan  waving  to  direct 

Their  course,  in  even  balance  down  they  light 

On  the  firm  brimstone,  and  fill  all  the  plain :  36C 

A  multitude,  like  which  the  populous  North 

Poured  never  from  her  frozen  loins,  to  pass 

Rhene  or  the  Dan  aw,  when  her  barbarous  sons 

Came  like  a  deluge  on  the  South,  and  spread 

Beneath  Gibraltar  to  the  Libyan  sands.  355 

Forthwith,  from  every  squadron  and  each  band, 

The  heads  and  leaders  thither  haste  where  stood 

Their  great  commander ;  godlike  shapes,  and  forms 

Excelling  human,  princely  Dignities, 

And  Powers  that  erst  in  Heaven  sat  on  thrones ;     360 

Though  of  their  names  in  heavenly  records  now 

Be  no  memorial,  blotted  out  and  razed 

By  their  rebellion  from  the  books  of  life. 

Nor  had  they  yet  among  the  sons  of  Eve  864 

Got  them  new  names  ;  till,  wandering  o'er  the  earth, 

Through  God's  high  suiferance  for  the  trial  of  man, 

By  falsities  and  lies  the  greatest  part 

Of  mankind  they  corrupted  to  forsake 

God  their  Creator,  and  the  invisible 

Glory  of  him  that  made  them  to  transform  87C 

Oft  to  the  image  of  a  brute,  adorned 

With  gay  religions  full  of  pomp  and  gold, 

345.  the  cope,  the  roof,  or  arch..        355.  Beneath,  to  the  south  of 

348.  Sultan,  sovereign.  —  the  Libyan  sands,  the  deserts 

35c(.  Rliene  or  the  Danaw,  the  of  Africa. 

Rhine  or  the  Danube. —  Aer  bar-        360.  erst,  formerly. 

iarom     sons,    the    tribes    from        SGG.  sufferance.    See  line  241 

northern   Europe,    Goths,   Van-        369-371.    See  Rom.  i.  23. 

dais,  Huns,  and  others,  who  over-        372.  religiotis^  religious  rites. 

^n  the  Roman  empire. 


Book  I.]  PARADISE  LOST.  15 

And  devils  to  adore  for  deities : 

Then  were  they  known  to  men  by  various  names 

And  various  idols  through  the  heathen  world.  871 

Say,  Muse,  their  names  then -known,  who  first,  wb« 
last, 
Roused  from  the  slumber  on  that  fiery  couch. 
At  their  great  Emperor's  call,  as  next  in  worth 
Came  singly  where  he  stood  on  the  bare  strand, 
While  the  promiscuous  crowd  stood  yet  aloof.  380 

The  chief  were  those  who,  from  the  pit  of  Hell 
Roaming  to  seek  their  prey  on  Earth,  durst  fix 
Their  seats  long  after  next  the  seat  of  God, 
Their  altars  by  his  altar,  gods  adored 
Among  the  nations  round,  and  durst  abide  385 

Jehovah  thundering  out  of  Sion,  throned 
Between  the  Cherubim  ;  yea,  often  placed 
Within  his  sanctuary  itself  their  shrines, 
Abominations ;  and  with  cursed  things 
His  holy  rites  and  solemn  feasts  profaned,  390 

And  with  their  darkness  durst  affront  his  light. 

First  Moloch,  horrid  king,  besmeared  with  blood 
Of  human  sacrifice  and  parents'  teare, 
Though,  for  the  noise  of  drums  and  timbrels  loud. 
Their  children's  cries  unheard,  that   passed  through 
fire  305 

To  his  grim  idol.     Him  the  Ammonite 

375.  idols,  images.  391.  affront,  face. 

876.  then.    See  Une  374.  392.  First   Moloch.     His  grim 

380.  the  promiscuous  crowd,  {"he  idol  is  described  as  a  hollow  im- 

mass  undistinguished  by  partic-  ageof  brass,  heated  by  fires  below, 

olar  names.  and  having  the  arms   extended 

383.  the  seat  of  God,  the  tem-  downwards.   The  victims  are  said 

pie  at  Jerusalem.  to  have  been  laid  on  these,  whence 

385    durst  abide,  dared  to  en-  they  rolled  into  the  tiames  below. 

counter.  This  is  called  in  the  Old  Testa- 

387.     Between    the    Cherubim,  ment,  "  making    their    children 

•'  Thou  that  dwellest  between  tho  pass   through   the  fire."     See  3 

sherubims."    Psalms  Ixxx.  1,  Kings  xxiii.  10 

387-391.    See  Ezekiel  viii.  396-399.  The  Ammonites  dwelt 


16  PARADISE  LOST.  [Boot  I. 

Worshipped  In  Rabba  and  her  watery  plain, 

In  Argob  and  In  Basan,  to  the  stream 

Of  utmost  Arnon.     Nor  content  with  such 

Audacious  neighborhood,  the  wisest  heart  400 

Of  Solomon  he  led  by  fraud  to  build 

His  temple  right  against  the  temple  of  God, 

On  that  opprobrious  hill ;  and  made  his  groA'e 

The  pleasant  valley  of  Hinnom,  Tophet  thence 

And  black  Gehenna  called,  the  type  of  Hell.  406 

Next  Chemos,  the  obscene  dreatl  of  Moab's  sons, 

From  Aroer  to  Nebo  and  the  wild 

Of  soLithmost  Abarim  ;  In  Hesebon 

And  Horonaim,  Seon's  realm,  beyond 

The  flowery  dale  of  Sibma  clad  with  vines  ;  410 

And  Eleale  to  the  Asphaltic  pool : 

Peer  his  other  name,  when  he  enticed 

Israel  in  Sittim,  on  their  mai'ch  from  Nile, 

To  do  him  wanton  rites,  which  cost  them  woe. 

Yet  thence  his  lustful  orgies  he  enlarged  416 

Even  to  that  hill  of  scandal,  by  the  grove 

Of  Moloch  homicide,  lust  hard  by  hate ; 

on  the  east  of  the  Jordan,  but  not  or  tambourine.    In  latei'  times  it 

BO  far  to  the  north  as  the  river  Ar-  was  called  Gehenna^  and  this  word 

aon.     Basan,  or  Bashan,  and  Ar-  was  used  by  the  Jews  to  express 

gob  belonged  to  the  Ammonites,  the  place  of  future  punishment. 

Rabba,  or  Kabbah,  was  the  chief  406.  Chemos,  or  Chemosh,  also 

city  of  the  Ammonites,  situated  in  mentioned  in  1  Kings  xi.,  as  "  the 

a,  well-watered  valley,  and  some-  abomination  of  Moab"  ;  Peor  (or 

times  called  the  City  of  Waters.  Baal-peor)  his  other  nayne. 

See  2  Samuel  xii.  27.  407-411.  These  places  were  in 

400-403.  See  1  Kings  xi.  1-8.  —  the  country  of  the  Moabites,  sit- 

right  against,  opposite  to,  on  the  uated  to  the  east  of  the  Dead  Sea, 

Mount  of  Olives ;   called,  there-  or  Asphaltic  pool.  —  Abarim  was 

foie,   that   opprobrious    hill,   and  a  mountain  range  east  of  the  Jor- 

%ft^vvi3ii<is,  that  hill  of  scandal  a,u(i  dan,  of  which  Nebo  appears   to 

offensive  mountain.  have    been   a    part.  —  Hesebon, 

404.  Hinnom.    The  Valley  of  Heshbon.    See  Isaiah  xvi.  8,  9.  — 

Hinnom  was  on  the  south  of  Je-  Seon,   Sihon. 

rusalem,  and  it  was  there  that  413.  Sittim,  Shittim,  the  plai?e 

children  were  sacrificed   to  Mo-  of  the  last  encampment  of  the  I s- 

loch.    It  is  said  that  drums  were  raelites  before   they  crossed  the 

beaten   or  timbrels    sounded    to  Jordan.    It  was  here  that  "  Israel 

irown    their    cries,   whence   the  joined  himself  unto  Baal-peor." 

place  was  called  Tophet,  from  the  417.    homicide,    deUghting   in 

Hebrew  word  ioph,  a  kind  of  dnim  humar*  victims.  —  Lust  is  repre- 


Boox  I]  PARADISE  LOST.  17 

Till  good  eTosiah  drove  tliein  thence  to  Hell. 

With  these  came  they,  Avho,  from  the  bordering  flood 

Of  old  Euphrates  to  the  brook  that  parts  42C 

Egypt  from  Syrian  ground,  had  general  names 

Of  Baalim  an<l  Ashtarotli,  those  male, 

These  feminine  :  for  spirits  when  they  please 

Can  either  sex  assume,  or  both ;  so  soft 

And  uncompounded  is  their  essence  pure,  425 

Not  tied  or  manacled  with  joint  or  limb, 

Nor  founded  on  the  brittle  strength  of  bone:?, 

Like  cumbrous  flesh ;  but  In  what  shape  they  choose, 

Dilated  or  condensed,  bright  or  obscure, 

Can  execute  tlieir  aery  purposes,  430 

And  works  of  love  or  enmity  fulfil. 

For  those  the  race  of  Israel  oft  forsook 

Their  living  Strength,  and  unfrequented  left 

His  righteous  altar,  bov.ing  lowly  down 

To  bestial  gods  ;  for  which  their  heads,  as  low         436 

Bowed  down  In  battle,  sunk  before  the  spear 

Of  despicable  foes.     With  these  In  troop 

Came  Astoreth,  whom  the  Phoenicians  called 

Astarte,  queen  of  heaven,  with  crescent  liorns  ; 

To  whose  bright  image,  nightly  by  the  moon,  440 

SIdonian  virgins  paid  their  a-ows  and  songs  ; 

In  Sion  also  not  unsung,  Avhere  stood 

Her  temple  on  the  offensive  mountain,  built 

By  that  uxorious  king,  whose  heart,  though  large 

Beguiled  by  fair  Idolatresses,  fell  445 

To  Idols  foul.     Thammuz  came  next  behind, 

Whose  annual  w^ound  In  Lebanon  allured 

The  Syrian  damsels  to  lament  his  fate 

lented  by  Chemos  or  Peor,  and  441.  Sirfojiian  virgins.     Sidoa 

hate  by  Moloch.  was  a  chief  city  of  Phoenicia,  on 

418.  Sec  2  Kings  xxiii.  10-14.  the  northwest  of  Palestine. 

419-  i'"'!/,  Syrian  gods.  444.   "  Largeness  of  h«art "  18 

422.     Baalim    and    Ashtnroth,  mentioned  among  the  gifts  be- 

the  plural  of  Baal  and  Astoreth.  stowed  upon  Solomon.     1  Kin^-s 

430.      aerij,     from    the    Latin  iv.  29.                                            ° 

"^';i*l5e  f ii"-  446-452.  Tlmmmiiz is  supposed 

**'  ^  -■>      See  Judges  ii.  11-15.  to  hare  been  the  Phoenician  Ado- 


18  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  L 

In  amorous  ditties  all  a  summer's  day, 

While  smooth  Adonis  from  his  native  rock  4M 

Ran  purple  to  the  sea,  supposed  with  blood 

Of  Thammuz  yearly  wounded  :  the  love  tale 

Infected  Slon's  daughters  with  like  heat, 

Whose  wanton  passions  In  the  sacred  porch 

Ezeklel  saw,  when,  by  the  vision  led,  466 

His  eye  surveyed  the  dark  idolatries 

Of  alienated  Judah.     Next  came  one 

Who  mourned  In  earnest,  when  the  captive  ark 

Maimed  his  brute  Image,  head  and  hands  lopped  off 

In  his  own  temple,  on  the  grunsel  edge,  460 

Where  he  fell  flat  and  shamed  his  worshippers  : 

Dagon  his  name  ;  sea  monster,  upward  man 

And  downward  fish  ;  yet  had  his  temple  high 

Reared  in  Azotus,  dreaded  through  the  coast 

Of  Palestine,  in  Gath  and  Ascalon  465 

And  Accaron  and  Gaza's  frontier  bounds. 

Him  followed  RImmon,  whose  delightful  seat 

Was  fair  Damascus,  on  the  fertile  banks 

Of  Abana  and  Pharphar,  lucid  streams : 

He  also  against  the  house  of  God  was  bold ;  470 

A  leper  once  he  lost,  and  gained  a  king, 

Aliaz  his  sottish  conqueror,  whom  he  drew 

God's  altar  to  disparage  and  displace 

For  one  of  Syrian  mode,  whereon  to  burn 

His  odious  offerings,  and  adore  the  gods  476 

Whom  he  had  vanquished.     After  these  appeared 

A  crew,  who  under  names  of  old  renown, 

Osiris,  Isis,  Orus,  and  their  train, 

With  monstrous  shapes  and  sorceries  abused 

nip, who  wa3  said  to  die  and  re-  460.  grunsel  et/g'C,  threshold,  oi 

vive  again  every  year.     His  death  groundsill. 

was     annually     commemorated.  464-466.   These  places  were  in 

The    river    Adonis    flowed    from  the  land  of  the  Philistines,  on  the 

ilount  Tiebanon  to  the  sea.  coast  of  Palestine.  —  Accaron,  Ek 

455.  Eze.k.A  saw.      See  Eaek.  ron. 

rlii.  467^71.  The   account   of   the 

459.  Ilia  bruie image.  Seel  Sam.  leper  is  found  in  2  Kings  v.,  and 

V  1-6.  of  the  king  in  2  Kings  xvi 


Book  I.]  PARADISE  LOST.  19 

Fanatic  Egypt  and  her  priests,  to  seek  480 

Their  wandering  gods  disguised  in  brutish  forms 

Rather  than  human.     Nor  did  Israel  scape 

The  infection,  when  their  borrowed  gold  composed 

The  calf  in  Oreb ;  and  the  rebel  king 

Doubled  that  sin  in  Bethel  and  in  Dan,  485 

liikening  his  Maker  to  the  grazed  ox, 

Jehovah,  who,  in  one  night,  when  he  passed 

From  Egypt  marching,  equalled  with  one  stroke 

Both  her  first-born  and  all  her  bleating  gods. 

Belial  came  last,  than  whom  a  spirit  more  lewd       490 

Fell  not  from  Heaven,  or  more  gross  to  love 

Vice  for  itself:  to  him  no  temple  stood, 

Or  altar  smoked ;  yet  who  more  oft  than  he 

In  temples  and  at  altars,  when  the  priest 

Turns  atheist,  as  did  Eli's  sons,  Avho  fdled  48ft 

With  lust  and  violence  the  house  of  God  ? 

In  courts  and  palaces  he  also  reigns, 

And  in  luxurious  cities,  where  the  noise 

Of  riot  ascends  above  their  loftiest  towers. 

And  injury  and  outrage ;  and  when  night  500 

Darkens  the  streets,  then  wander  forth  the  sons 

Of  Belial,  flown  with  insolence  and  wine. 

Witness  the  streets  of  Sodom,  and  that  night 

In  Gibeah,  when  the  hospitable  door 

Exposed  a  matron,  to  avoid  worse  rape.  606 

These  were  the  prime  in  order  and  in  might ; 
The  rest  were  long  to  tell,  though  far  renowned, 

482.  scape,  escape.  ing  gods.    Among  the  Egyptian 

4S3.  borrowed.    See  Ex.  xii.  35,  deities  were  Amnion  and  Mendea, 

86.  the  former  a  ram,  the  latter  a 

484.  The  calf  in  Oreb.    See  Ex.  goat. 
zxxii.  —  the  rebel  king,  Jeroboam.        492.   to  him  no  temple  stood. 

Bee  1  Kings  xii.  There  is  no  mention  in   the  Old 

486.   grazed  ox.     "Thus  they  lestjinient  of  a  god  named  Belial, 

changed  their  g.ory  into  the  si  but  \vicked  men  are  called  "eon* 

nilitude  of   an  ox   that    eateth  of  Belial." 
grass."    Ps.  cvi.  20.  602.  Jtoion,  flushed,  or  floodtxi 

4^%.  equalled.     See  line  248.  507.  twre,  (it)  would  b«. 

489.  SeeEx.xii.29.  — AerWftU- 


20 


PARADiSE  LOUT. 


[Book  1 


The  Ionian  gods,  of  Javan's  issue  held 

Gods,  yet  confessed  later  than  Heaven  and  Earth, 

Their  boasted  parents  :   Titan,  Heaven's  first  bom, 

With  his  enormous  brood,  and  birthright  seized       511 

By  younger  Saturn ;  he  from  mightier  Jove 

(His  own  and  Rhea's  son)  like  measure  found ; 

So  Jove  usurping  reigned.      These  first  in  Crete 

And  Ida  known,  thence  on  the  snowy  top  5ifi 

Of  cold  Olympus  ruled  the  middle  air. 

Their  highest  heaven  ;  or  on  the  Delphian  cliff, 

Or  in  Dodona,  and  through  all  the  bounds 

Of  Doric  land  ;  or  who  with  Saturn  old 

Fled  over  Adria  to  the  Hesperian  fields,  520 

And  o'er  the  Celtic  roamed  the  utmost  isles. 


All  these  and  more  came  flocking;  but  with  looks 
Downcast  and  damp  ;  yet  such  wherein  appeared 


508.  Tlie  Ionian  s:ods,  the  gods 
worshipped  by  the  Ionian  Greeks. 
—  Javan  w.a.s  the  sou  of  .laphet, 
and  grandson  of  Noah.  His  de- 
scendants are  supposed  to  have 
peopled  the  coasts  of  Asia  Minor 
and  Greece.  — of,  by.  — held,  held 
as. 

509.  confessed  later,  confessed 
to  be  later,  being  fabled  to  have 
been  children  of  Uranus,  Heaven, 
and  Ge,  Earth. 

510-514.  There  were  twelve  Ti- 
tKans,  Heaven^s  first  born.  The 
youngest  of  these,  Saturn  or  Kro- 
nos,  deprived  his  father  Uranus 
of  his  power,  and  was  in  his  turn 
dispossessed  by  onightierJove  (Ju- 
piter or  Zeus),  his  own  and  lihea^s 
son. 

513.  like  measure,  similar  treat- 
ment. 

514.  Crete,  now  called  Candia, 
an  island  south  of  Greece,  was 
the  birthplace  of  Jupiter.  He 
was  said  to  have  been  brought  up 
in  a  cave  of  Mount  Ida,  which 
was  in  the  centre  of  the  island. 

616.  Olympus,  the  seat  of  the 
gods,  was  in  northern  Greece. 


617.  the  Delphian  cliff.  The 
celebrated  temple  and  oracle  of 
Apollo  were  at  Delphi,  on  Mourt 
Parnassus. 

518.  Dodona,  in  the  western 
part  of  Greece,  was  a  grove,  from 
which  answers  were  given  to  those 
who  came  to  consult  the  oracle- 
It  was  sacred  to  Jupiter. 

519.  Doric  land,  Greece,  or 
that  part  of  Greece  peopled  by 
the  Dorians,  an  important  race. 
—  tvho,  those  of  them  who. 

520.  Fled.  Saturn  is  said  to 
have  fied  to  Italy,  and  re:gned 
there,  after  his  defea*^  and  over- 
throw by  Jupiter.  —  Adria,  the 
Adriatic  Sea,  between  Greece  and 
Italy.  See  Acts  xxvii.  27.  — 
Hesperian,  ItaUan  ;  to  the  west, 
from  Hesperus,  the  evening  star. 

521.  the  Celtic,  probably  a  Greek 
idiom,  meaning  the  Celtic  land; 
ancient  Gaul.  —  roamed,  wand- 
ered over.  —  the  utmost  isles,  Brit- 
ain, or  the  British  Isles.  —  ut- 
most, furthest. 

523.  svch  wherein  appeared 
looks  such  that  in  them  appeared 


BookL]  paradise  lost.  ~  .?J 

Obscure  some  glimpse  of  joy  to  have  found  their  chief 

Not  in  despair,  to  have  found  themselves  not  lost    525 

In  loss  itself;  which  on  his  countenance  cast 

Like  doubtfid  hue :  but  he  his  wonted  pride 

Soon  recollecting,  with  high  words,  that  bore 

Semblance  of  Avorth  not  substance,  gently  raised 

Their  fainting  courage  and  dispelled  their  fears.      630 

Then  straight  commands  that,  at  the  warlike  sound 

Of  trumpets  loud  and  clarions,  be  upreared 

His  mighty  standard  :  that  proud  honor  claimed 

Azazel  as  his  right,  a  Cherub  tall ; 

Who  forthwith  from  the  glittering  staff  unfurled       535 

The  imperial  ensign,  which,  full  high  advanced, 

Shone  like  a  meteor  streaming  to  the  wind, 

With  gems  and  golden  lustre  rich  emblazed, 

Seraphic  arms  and  trophies  ;  all  the  while 

Sonorous  metal  blowing  martial  sounds :  640 

At  which  the  uniAcrsal  host  up  sent 

A  shout  that  tore  Hell's  concave,  and  beyond 

Frighted  the  reign  of  Chaos  and  old  Night. 

All  in  a  moment  through  the  gloom  were  seen 

Ten  thousand  banners  rise  Into  the  air,  646 

With  orient  colors  waving ;  witli  them  rose 

A  forest  huge  of  spears ;  and  thronging  helm 

Appeared,  and  serried  shields  in  thick  array 

Of  depth  immeasurable :  anon  they  move 

Fn  perfect  phalanx  to  the  Dorian  mood  550 

Of  flutes  and  soft  recorders  ;  such  as  raised 

To  height  of  noblest  temper  heroes  old 

Arming  to  battle,  and  instead  of  rage 

527.  like,  the  same.  549.  anon.    See  line  325. 

528.  recollecting,  collecting  a-        550.    Dorian   mood,   or  mode, 
gain  ;  recovering.  the  martial  measure  or  music  to 

531.  5«ra^§-/(/,  .straightway.  whv.h   the  Dorian.^,  particularly 

53S.     finblazeii,     emblazoned  ;  the  Sp.artans,  moved.      They  al- 

Dainted  or  adorned  with  figures.  ways  drew  up  their  troops  in  plia- 

543.  leign,  kingdom.  lanx. 

546.  orient,  bright.  651.  recorders,  instrumenfe  re- 

548.    srrni-'l,  pressed   close,  or  sembling  flageolets. 

locked  together. 


22  "    PARADISE  LOST.  [Booxl, 

Deliberate  valor  breathed,  firm  and  unmoved 

With  dread  of  deatli  to  flight  or  foul  retreat ;  6U 

Nor  wanting  power  to  mitigate  and  swage 

With  solemn  touches  troubled  thoughts,  and  chase 

Anguish  and  doubt  and  fear  and  sorrow  and  pain 

From  mortal  or  immortal  minds.      Thus  they. 

Breathing  united  force,  with  fixed  thought,  530 

Moved  on  in  silence  to  soft  })ipes  that  charmed 

Their  painful  steps  o'er  the  burnt  soil  ;  and  now 

Advanced  in  view  they  stand,  a  horrid  front 

Of  dreadful  length  and  dazzling  arms,  in  guise 

Of  warriors  old,  with  ordered  spear  and  shield,       605 

Awaiting  what  command  their  mighty  chief 

Had  to  Impose :  he  through  the  armed  files 

Darts  his  experienced  eye,  and  soon  traverse 

The  whole  battalion  views,  tlieir  order  due, 

Their  visages  and  stature  as  of  gods ;  670 

Their  number  last  he  sums.     And  now  his  heart 

Distends  with  pride,  and  hardening  in  his  strength 

Glories ;  for  never,  since  created  man. 

Met  such  embodied  force  as  named  with  these 

Could  merit  more  than  that  small  infantry  675 

Warred  on  by  cranes ;  though  all  the  giant  brood 

Of  Phlegra  with  the  heroic  race  were  joined 

That  fought  at  Thebes  and  Ilium,  on  each  side 

Mixed  with  auxillar  gods ;  and  whai  resounds 

554.  wnwiDverf,  not  to  be  moved.  573.  since  created  mjn,  since 

556.  swage,  assuage.  man  was  created. 

563.  horrid,  perhaps  here,  as  in  575.   that   small  infnntrj/,   tho 

the  Latin  "  horridus,"  bristling.  Pygmies,  a  fabulous  people,  little 

565.  ordered,  in  due  order,  the  more  than  a  foot  in  height,  who 

shield  on  the  left  arm.  and  the  dwelt  on  the  sea-shoi-e,  and  wer»< 

Bpear  erect  in  the  right  hand.  attacked  by  cranes  every  spiiug. 

568.     traverse,     through     and  577.    Phlegra.  a  plain  in  3iace- 

through.  donia,   in   which    the    rebellious 

572.  his,  probably  its.    His  was  Gi.mts  perished, 

the  original  po.ssessive  of  "  it,"  as  578.  Thebes  and  lliinn.     Allu- 

well  as  of"  he,"  as  is  seen  in  our  sion  is  made  to  the  ^\'ar  of  the 

translation  of  the  Bible.   See  Gen.  Seven  against  Thebes  in  Grtece 

i.   11.  :    ''  The  fruit  tree  yielding  and  to  the  Trojan  War.     In  the 

fruit  after  his   kind."      See  line  latter,  heroes  fought,  assisted  by 

673.  gods.  —  Ilium,  Troy. 


Book  I.J  PARADISE  LOST.  23 

In  fable  or  romance  of  Other's  son,  680 

Begirt  with  British  and  Anuorlc  knights; 

And  all  who  since,  baptized  or  infidel, 

Jousted  in  Aspramont  or  Montalban, 

Daniaseo  or  Morocco  or  Trebisond, 

Or  whom  Biserta  sent  from  Afric  shore,  58f 

When  Charlemain  with  all  his  peerage  fell 

By  Fontarabbla.     Thus  far  these  beyond 

Compare  of  mortal  prowess,  yet  observed 

Their  dread  commander  :  he,  above  the  rest 

In  shape  and  gesture  proudly  eminent,  690 

Stood  like  a  tower;  his  form  had  not  yet  lost 

All  her  original  brightness,  nor  appeared 

Less  than  Archangel  ruined  and  the  excess 

Of  glory  obscured  :  as  when  the  sun  new  risen 

Looks  through  the  horizontal  misty  air,  o95 

Shorn  of  his  beams  ;  or  from  behind  the  moon, 

In  dim  eclipse,  disastrous  twilight  sheds 

On  half  the  nations,  and  with  fear  of  change 

Perplexes  monarclis  ;  darkened  so,  yet  shone 

Above  them  all  the  Archangel :  but  his  face  600 

Deep  scars  of  thunder  had  intrenched,  and  care 

Sat  on  his  faded  cheek,  but  under  brows 

Of  dauntless  courage  and  considerate  pride, 

580.  Uther^s  son,  King  Arthur.  587-589.    These,   although    in 

581.  Arnioric,  of  Armorica  or  prowess  above  all  comparison  with 
Brittany,  in  the  northwest  of  any  heroes  of  mortal  birth,  yet 
France.      _  watched  and  obeyed  their  dread 

682.        infidel,       unbelieving,  commander, 

whether  Pagan  or  Mohammedan.  595.  horizontal,  near  the  hori- 

583-587.   These  are  namrs   of  zon. 

places  mentioned  in  very  old  I'o-  597.      disastrous,    announcing 

mances.    Some  of  them  are  found  disaster.     An  eclip.<:e  has  always 

In  the   poem  of  "Orlando  Furi-  be^n   sup-posed   by  the   ignorant 

oso,"  which  describes  the  adven-  and    superstitious     to    threaten 

tures  of  the  Brave  llolan<l,  cue  of  some  great  calamity, 

the  knights  of  Charlemain,  Char-  599.  darkened  so,  although  sc 

lemagne.  —  Biserta   was    in    the  liirkened. 

north  of  Africa.     Fontarabia  (as  6'Jl.  intrenched,  furrowed;  cut 

common];;  spelled)  is  in  northern  with  deep  lines. 

Spain.     At   Iloncesvalles,  in  tlie  603.    considerate,  deliberatiug ; 

northeastern  part,  in  a  celebrat-  planning. 
«d  battle,  his  pteta^e  fell,  but  not 
Charlemange  himself. 


H  rAUADISE  LOST.  [Bock  t 

Waiting  revenge  ;  crnsl  his  eye,  but  cast 

Signs  of  remorse  and  passion  to  behold  qoi 

The  fellows  of  his  crime,  the  followers  rather, 

Far  other  once  beheld  in  bliss,  condemned 

Forever  now  to  have  their  lot  in  pain ; 

Millions  of  spirits  for  his  fault  amerced 

Of  Heaven,  and  from  eternal  splendors  flung  gio 

For  his  revolt,  yet  filthfiil  how  they  stood. 

Their  glory  withered  :  as  when  heaxen's  fire 

Hath  scathed  the  forest  oaks  or  mountain  pines. 

With  singed  top  their  stately  growth  though  bare 

Stands  on  the  blasted  heath.      He  now  prepared      615 

To  speak ;  whereat  their  doubled  ranks  they  bend 

From  wing  to  wing,  and  half  enclose  him  round 

With  all  his  peers :  attention  held  them  mute. 

Thrice  he  essayed,  and  thrice,  in  spite  of  scorn, 

Tears,  such  as  angels  weep,  burst  forth  ;  at  last       o*20 

Words  Interwove  with  sighs  found  out  their  way. 

"  0  myriads  of  immortal  Spirits,   O  Powei-s 
Matchless  but  with  the  Almighty,  and  that  strife 
Was  not  inglorious,  though  the  event  Avas  dire, 
As  this  place  testifies,  and  this  dire  change  626 

Hateful  to  utter :  but  what  power  of  mind, 
Foreseeing  or  presaging,  from  the  depth 
Of  knowledge  past  or  present,  could  have  feared 
How  such  united  force  of  gods,  how  such 
As  stood  like  these,  could  ever  know  repulse  ?  680 

For  who  can  yet  believe,  though  after  loss, 
That  all  these  puissant  legions,  whose  exile 
Hath  emptied  Heaven,  shall  fail  to  reascend 
Self-raised,  and  repossess  their  native  seat  ? 
For  me  be  witness  all  the  host  of  Heaven  63fi 

If  counsels  different,  or  danger  shunned 

605.  />a.ss«o»,  feeling;  compas-  Qll.  yet  faithful  hoio  they  stood. 

lion.  This  depends  on  behold  in  line  605 

609.  amerced,  deprived ;   pun-  636.  different,  varying, 
isbed  by  loss. 


Book  I.]  PARADISE  LOST.  25 

By  me,  hare  lost  our  liopcs :  but  he  who  reigns 

Monarch  in  Heaven,  till  then  as  one  secure 

Sat  on  his  throne,  upheld  hy  old  repute, 

Consent,  or  custom,  and  his  regal  state  640 

Put  forth  at  full,  but  still  his  strength  concealed. 

Which  tempted  our  attempt   and  wrought  our  fall. 

Henceforth  his  might  we  know,  and  know  our  own, 

So  as  not  either  to  provoke,  or  dread 

New  war  provoked  ;  our  better  part  remains  646 

To  work  in  close  design,  by  fraud  or  guile. 

What  force  effected  not ;  that  he  no  less 

At  length  from  us  may  find,  who  overcomes 

By  force  hath  overcome  but  half  his  foe." 

Space  may  produce  new  worlds  ;  whereof  so  rife     650 

Tiiere  went  a  fame  in  Heaven,  that  he  ere  long 

Intended  to  create ;  and  therein  plant 

A  generation,  whom  his  choice  regard 

Should  favor  equal  to  the  sons  of  Heaven : 

Thither,  if  but  to  pry,  shall  be  perhaps  655 

Our  first  eruption,  thitber  or  elsewhere ; 

For  this  infernal  pit  shall  never  hold 

Celestial  spirits  in  bondage,  nor  the  abyss 

Long  under  darkness  cover.      But  these  thoughts 

Full  counsel  must  mature.      Peace  is  despaired,        660 

For  who  can  think  submission  ?  —  AVar  then,  war 

Open  or  understood,  must  be  resolved." 

He  spake  ;  and  to  confirm  his  words  out  flew 
Millions  of  ilaining  swords,  drawn  from  the  thighs 
Of  mighty  Cherubim ;  the  sudden  blaze  665 

Far  round  illumined  Hell :  highly  they  raged 
A-gainst  the  Highest,  and  fierce  with  grasped  arms 

644.  provoke,  as  well  as  dread,  -went  so  general  a  fame   or  ru- 

governs  New  war.  mor. 

646.  it;or/fc,  work  out ;  efifect.  655.   Thither.    See  line  650. 

648.  iWiO,  that  he  who.  659.  cocer,  cover  them. 

65C.     wUertof     so     rife     there        660.  despaired,    despairei    0/ 

xveiu    a  fame,    of  which    there  hopeless. 


2G  PARADISE  LOST.  (.Book  L 

Clashed  on  their  sounding  shields  the  din  of  war, 
Hurling  defiance  toward  the  vault  of  Heaven. 

There  stood  a  hill  not  far,  whose  grisly  top  670 

Belched  .fire  and  rolling  smoke  ;  the  rest  entire 
Shone  with  a  glossy  scurf ;  undoubted  sign 
That  in  his  womb  was  hid  metallic  ore, 
The  work  of  sulphur.      Thither  winged  with  speed 
A  numerous  brigade  hastened  ;  as  when  bands         C7fi 
Of  pioneers,  with  spade  and  pickaxe  armed. 
Forerun  the  royal  camp,  to  trench  a  field 
Or  cast  a  rami^art.     Mammon  led  them  on, 
Mammon,  the  least  erected  spirit  that  fell 
From  Heaven ;    for   even  in  Heaven   his   looks  and 
thoughts  680 

Were  always  dowuAvard  bent,  admiring  more 
The  riches  of  Heaven's  pavement,  trodden  gold, 
Than  aught  divine  or  holy  else  enjoyed 
In  vision  beatific :  by  him  first 

Men  also,  and  by  his  suggestion  taught,  686 

Ransacked  the  centre,  and  with  impious  hands 
Rifled  the  bowels  of  their  mother  Earth 
For  treasures  better  hid.      Soon  had  his  crew 
Opened  into  the  hill  a  spacious  wound, 
And  digged  out  ribs  of  gold.      Let  none  admire       690 
That  riches  grow  in  Hell ;  that  soil  may  best 
Deserve  the  precious  bane.      And  here  let  those 
Who  boast  in  mortal  things,  and  wondering  tell 
Of  Babel  and  the  works  of  Memphian  kings. 
Learn  how  their  greatest  monuments  of  fame,  mi 

671.  the  rest  entire,  all  the  rest,  used  in  its  Latiu  seuse  of  undu- 

673.  his,  its.    See  note  on  line  tiful ;  unnatural. 

72.  690.  admire,  vfonder  ;  beaston> 

678.  Mammon  is  a  Syriac  word  ished. 

meaning  Riches,  which  are  here  694.    Babel,    Babylon,     whose 

personified,  as  in  Matt.  vi.  2'4.  walls,  as  well  as  the  Pyramids  of 

•S84.  beatijic,   making  blessed;  Egypt,  the  ivorks  of  Memphian 

Heavenly.     See  111.  61,  62.  kings  (see  line  307),  were  among 

686.   impious  is  probably  here  the  Seven  ^Venders  of  the  ancien 
world. 


Book  I.J  PARADUSE  LOST.  27 

And  strength  and  art  are  easily  outdone 

By  spirits  reprobate,  and  in  an  hour, 

What  in  an  age  they,  with  incessant  toil 

And  hands  innumerable,  scarce  perforin. 

Nigh  on  the  plain  in  many  cells  prepared,  700 

That  underneath  had  veins  of  liquid  fire 

Sluiced  from  the  lake,  a  second  multitude 

With  wondrous  art  founded  the  massy  ore. 

Severing  each  kind,  and  scummed  the  bullion  dross  : 

A  third  as  soon  had  formed  within  the  ground  705 

A  various  mould ;  and  from  the  boiling  cells 

By  strange  conveyance  filled  each  hollow  nook ; 

As  in  an  organ  from  one  blast  of  wind 

To  many  a  row  of  pipes  the  sound-board  breathes. 

Anon  out  of  the  earth  a  fabric  huge  Tlo 

Rose,  like  an  exhalation,  with  the  sound 

Of  dulcet  symphonies  and  voices  sweet, 

Built  like  a  temple,  where  pilasters  round 

Were  set,  and  Doric  pillars  overlaid 

With  golden  architrave  ;  nor  did  there  warn  716 

Cornice  or  frieze,  with  bossy  sculptures  graven , 

The  roof  was  fretted  gold.     Not  Babylon 

Nor  great  Alcalro  such  magnificence 

Equalled  in  all  their  glories,  to  enshrine 

Belus  or  Serapis  their  gods,  or  seat  720 

Their  kings,  when  Egypt  with  Assyria  strove 


697.  in  an  Hour,  how  ia  an  hour  part  of  a  building  which  rests  im 

b*  performed.  mediately  ou  the  columns ;  if-  is 

700.    prfparedy  made  for    this  the  lowest  part  of  the  entabla- 

ourpose.  ture,  cf  which  the  cornice  is  th« 

702.  5Zm/c?</,  brought  in  sluices,  upper  part,  the  frieze    being  be- 

703. /o!/Ji//e</,  melted.  tween    them. — bossy,   in   relief; 

704    thf  hidlion  i/ross,  the  dross  standing  out. 

tbrownoff  by  the  metal ;  the  scum  717.    fretted,   ornamented;   a- 

tf  the  boiling  ore.  domed  with  rai.sed  work. 

714.  Doric.  Of  the  three  orders  72J.  £''//<5.  or  Eel,  a  Babylonish 
of  Grecian  architecture,  Doric,  idol. — 5prfj/'/s,  an  Egyptian  deity 
ionic,  and  Corinthian,  the  first  worshipped  at  Memphi.-^,  near  th« 
was  the  mo.^t  simple.     The  Par-  site  of  which  Cairo,  or  Alcairo 

henon  at  Athen.«  was  Doric.  now  stands 

715.  716.  The  architrave  is  that 


E8  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  I 

In  wealth  and  luxury.     The  ascending  pile 
Stood  fixed  her  stately  height ;  and  straight  the  doors 
Opening  their  brazen  folds  discover,  wide 
Within,  her  ample  spaces  o'er  the  smooth  726 

And  level  pavement :  from  the  arched  roof, 
Pendent  by  subtle  magic,  many  a  row 
Of  starry  lamps  and  blazing  cressets,  fed 
With  naphtha  and  asphaltus,  yielded  light 
As  from  a  sky.      The  hasty  multitude  730 

Admiring  entered,  and  the  work  some  praise 
And  some  the  architect ;  his  hand  was  known 
In  Heaven  by  many  a  towered  structure  high, 
Where  sceptred  angels  held  their  residence, 
And  sat  as  princes,  whom  the  supreme  King  735 

Exalted  to  such  power,  and  gave  to  rule. 
Each  in  his  hierarchy,  the  orders  bright : 
Nor  was  his  name  unheard  or  unadored 
In  ancient  Greece ;  and  in  Ausonian  land 
Men  called  him  Mulciber ;  and  how  he  fell  740 

From  Heaven  they  fabled,  thrown  by  angry  Jove 
Sheer  o'er  the  crystal  battlements ;  from  morn 
To  noon  he  fell,  from  noon  to  dewy  eve, 
A  summer's  day  ;  and  with  the  setting  sun 
Dropped  from  the  zenith  like  a  falling  star,  745 

On  Lemnos  the  iEgean  isle :  thus  they  relate, 
Erring ;  for  he  with  this  rebellious  rout 
Fell  long  before ;  nor  aught  availed  him  now 
To  have  built  in   Heaven  high  towers ;  nor  did  be 
scape 

723.  fixed,  fixed  in,  or  as   to.  739-746.    IIepha?stos,    the  god 

But  if  a  comma  be  put  after  stood,  of  fire,  was  called  Vulcan,  or  Mitl- 

heig/U  may  be  considered  as  the  cibn.,  by  the  Romans,  who  dwelt 

nominative      case       absolute.—  in  Ausonian  latid,  or  \tfi\y.    Hav- 

ttraight.     See  line  531.  ing  taken  part  with  his  mother, 

729.  naphtha  and  asphaltus  are  Hera,  or  Juno,  in  a  quarrel  be- 

bituminous  substances,  the  for-  tween  his  parents,  he  was  hurled 

iner  liquid,  the  latter  solid,  and  by  his  father,  atii^ry  Joi-r,  frnxx: 

both  very  inflammable.  heaven.     He  fell  on  "the  islaud  of 

736.  rule,  rule  over.  Lemnos  in  the  .^gean  Sea. 

737.  hierarchy,  sacred  rank.  749.  scape.  See  line  482 


Book  I.]  PARADISE  LOST.  29 

By  all  his  engines,  but  Avas  headlong  sent  78C 

With  his  industrious  crew  to  build  In  Hell. 

Meanwhile  the  winged  heralds,  by  command 
Of  sovran  power,  with  awful  ceremony 
And  trumpet's  sound,  throughout  the  host  proclaim 
A  solemn  council  forthwith  to  be  held  7g£ 

At  Pandemonium,  the  high  capital 
Of  Satan  and  his  peers :  their  summons  called 
From  every  band  and  squared  regiment 
By  place  or  choice  the  worthiest ;  they  anon 
With  hundreds  and  with  thousands  trooping  came   7G0 
Attended :  all  access  was  thronged,  the  gates 
And  porches  wide,  but  chief  the  spacious  hall 
(Though  like  a  covered  field,  Avhere  champions  bold 
Wont  ride  in  armed,  and  at  the  Soldan's  chair 
Defied  the  best  of  Panim  chlvahy  765 

To  mortal  combat,  or  career  with  lance) 
Thick  swarmed,  both  on  the  ground  and  in  tlie  air 
Brushed  with  the  hiss  of  rustling  wings.      As  bees 
In  spi'ing-tlme,  when  the  sun  Avith  Taurus  rides, 
Pour  forth  their  populous  youth  about  the  hive         770 
In  clusters ;  they  among  fresh  dews  and  flowers 
Fly  to  and  fro,  or  on  the  smoothed  plank, 
The  suburb  of  their  straw-built  citadel. 
New  rubbed  with  balm,  expatiate,  and  confer 
Their  state  aifairs :  so  thick  the  aery  crowd  775 

Swarmed  and  were  straitened  ;  till,  the  signal  given, 
Behold  a  wonder !  they  but  now  who  seemed 

750.  engines^  ingenious  devices  bat  with  Panim  (Paynim  or  Pa- 

or  contrivances.  gun)  c/tifafri/.     They  usod  [wont l 

753.  sovran.     See  line  2-16.  to  ride  in  (into  the  lists)  in  armor. 

756.  Pa/i</emort/Km,  place  of  all  — Solr/nn^  Sultan,   the   Saracen 

devils.  chief  cr  emperor. 

759.  anon.     See  line  325.  769.  xvheji  the  sun  with  Taurvt 

761.  all  access,  every  way  of  ac-  rides,  when  the  sun  is  in  Taurus, 

cess  or  approach.  the  sign  of  the  Bull. 

763-766.    In  the  wars  between  774.  expatiate,  move  at  large; 

tlie     Christians     and    Saracens,  walk  abi'oad. — co7^/e?•,  confer  up - 

ciampions  bold  of  the  true  faith  on. 

sometimes  engaged  in  single  com-  775.     See  line  430. 


30  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  I. 

In  bigness  to  surpass  earth's  giant  sons, 

Now  less  than  smallest  dwarfs  in  narrow  room 

Throng  numberless,  like  that  pygmean  race  780 

Beyond  the  Indian  mount ;  or  fairy  elves, 

Whose  midnight  revels  by  a  forest  side 

Or  fountain  some  belated  peasant  sees, 

Or  dreams  he  sees ;  while  overhead  the  moon 

Sits  arbitress,  and  nearer  to  the  earth  785 

Wheels  her  pale  course ;   they,  on   their  mirth  and 

dance 
Intent,  with  jocund  music  charm  his  ear ; 
At  once  with  joy  and  fear  his  heart  rebounds. 
Thus  incorporeal  spirits  to  smallest  forms 
Reduced  their  shapes  immense ;  and  were  at  large,  79C 
Though  without  number  still,  amidst  the  hall 
Of  that  infernal  court.     But  far  within. 
And  in  their  own  dimensions  like  themselves, 
The  great  Seraphic  lords  and  Cherubim 
[n  close  recess  and  secret  conclave  sat ;  w 

A  thousand  demi-gods  on  golden  seats, 
Frequent  and  full.      After  short  silence  then 
And  summons  read,  the  great  consult  began. 

785.  ar6i7re.«,  ■witness ;  specta-  797.    Frequent,    crowded; 

tor  ;  —  from  the  Latin.  tlironged. 

790.  were  at  large,  had  room  798.  consult,  con8u)t»tlo«. 
enough. 


BOOK    11. 

THE  ARGUMENl 

The  consultation  begun,  Satan  debates  -svhether  another  battle  13  to 
be  hazarded  for  the  ref*overy  of  Heaven  :  some  advise  it,  others 
iissuade.  A  third  proposal  is  preferred,  mentioned  before  by 
Satan,  to  search  the  truth  of  that  prophecy  or  tradition  in  HeaTen 
concerning  another  world,  and  another  kind  of  creature,  equal  cr 
not  much  inferior  to  themselves,  about  this  time  to  be  created  ; 
their  doubt  who  shall  be  sent  on  this  difficult  search  :  Satan,  their 
chief,  undertakes  alone  the  voj^age  ;  is  honored  and  applauded. 
The  council  thus  ended,  the  rest  betake  them  several  ways  and  to 
several  employments,  as  their  inclinations  lead  them,  to  eutertain 
the  time  till  Satan  return.  He  passes  on  his  journey  to  Hell  gates, 
finds  them  shut,  and  who  sat  there  to  guard  them,  by  whom  at 
length  they  are  opened,  and  discover  to  him  the  great  gulf  be- 
tween Hell  and  Heaven  ;  with  what  difficulty  he  passes  through, 
directed  by  Chaos,  the  Power  of  that  place,  to  the  sight  of  this 
new  world  which  he  sought. 

High  on  a  throne  of  royal  state,  which  far 

Outshone  the  wealth  of  Ormus  and  of  Ind, 

Or  where  the  gorgeous  East  with  richest  hand 

Showers  on  her  kings  barbaric  pearl  and  gold, 

Satan  exalted  sat,  by  merit  raised  5 

To  that  bad  eminence  ;  and,  from  despair 

Thus  high  uplifted  beyond  hope,  aspires 

Beyond  thus  high,  insatiate  to  pursue 

Vain  war  with  Heaven;  and,  by  success  untaught, 

His  proud  imaginations  thus  displayed  :  10 

2.  of  Ormus  or  of  Ind.      Or-  5.  hy  merit,  because  he  had  so 

mus,  or  Ormuz,  is  an  island  in  deserved. 

the  Persian   Gulf,   formerly    an  7.  beyond  hope     beyond  what 

emporium  of  the  rich  commerce  he  had  lately  hoped  for. 

of  the  East.  —  Lk/,  India.  8.  insatiate,  eager  with   insar 

4.  barbaric  pearl  android.   The  tiate  passion, 

term  ftariaric  here  means  oriental,  9.  5Mccf5s,  the  event, 

having  no   reference    to   barba-  10.  displayed,  set  forth, 
riann,  as  we  use  the  word. 


82  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  II 

"  Powers  and  Dominions,  deities  of  Heaven  — 
For  since  no  deep  within  Ler  gulf  can  hold 
Immortal  vigor,  though  oppressed  and  fallen, 
r  give  not  Heaven  for  lost  ;  from  this  descent 
Celestial  virtues  rising  will  appear  16 

More  glorious  and  moxe  dread  than  from  no  ftill. 
And  trust  themselves  to  fear  no  second  fate  — 
Me  though  just  right  and  the  fixed  laws  of  Heave e 
Did  first  create  your  leader,  nc.^t  free  choice, 
With  what  besides  in  council  or  in  fight  30 

Hath  been  achieved  of  merit ;  yet  this  loss 
Thus  far  at  least  recovered  hath  much  more 
Established  in  a  safe  unenvied  throne, 
Yielded  with  full  consent.      The  happier  state 
In  Heaven,  which  follows  dignity,  might  draw  2c 

Envy  from  each  inferior ;  but  who  here 
Will  envy  whom  the  highest  place  exposes 
Foremost  to  stand  against  the  Thunderer's  aim 
Your  bulwark,  and  condemns  to  greatest  share 
Of  endless  pain  ?     AVhere  there  is  then  no  good      8C 
For  Avhich  to  strive,  no  strife  can  grow  up  there 
From  faction  ;  for  none  sure  will  claim  in  Hell 
Precedence,  none  whose  portion  is  so  small 
Of  present  pain  that  with  ambitious  mind 
Will  covet  more.     With  this  advantage  then  35 

To  union  and  firm  faith  and  firm  accord. 
More  than  can  be  in  Heaven,  we  now  return 
To  claim  our  just  Inheritance  of  old, 
Surer  to  prosper  than  prosperity 
Could  have  assured  us  ;  and  by  what  best  way,        40 
Whether  of  open  war  or  covert  guile, 
We  now  debate  ;   who  can  advise  may  speak." 

22,  "-ecot-ererf,  made  up.  29.   Yowr  iu/M^ari,  as  your  bul' 

^.established.    For  the  object  wark. 

of  this  verb,  see  line  18.  33.  none.,  there  is  none. 

2S>.  follows   (JignitT/,   accompa-  40.  hy  ivhat  best  way,  hj  whrif 

nies  high  tank.  way  we  may  best  return. 

27.  whom,  him  whom. 


Boonil.l  PARADfSE  LOST.  33 

He  ceased  ;  and  next  lilm  Moloch,  sceptred  king, 
Stood  up,  tlic  strongest  and  the  fiercest  spirit 
That  fought  in  Heaven,  now  fiercer  by  despair :       4£ 
His  trust  was  with  the  Eternal  to  be  deemed 
Equal  in  strength,  and  rather  than  be  less 
Cared  not  to  be  at  all  ;  with  that  care  lost 
Went  all  his  fear ;  of  God,  or  Hell,  or  worse,  49 

He  recked  not ;  and  these  Avords  thereafter  spake  : 

"  My  sentence  is  for  open  war ;  of  wiles 
More  unexpert  I  boast  not ;  them  let  those 
Contrive  who  need,  or  when  they  need,  not  now : 
For  while  they  sit  contriving,  shall  the  rest, 
Millions  that  stand  in  arms  and  longing  Avait  66 

The  signal  to  ascend,  sit  lingering  here. 
Heaven's  fugitives,  and  for  their  dwelling-place 
Accept  this  dark  opprobrious  den  of  shame, 
The  prison  of  his  tyranny  Avho  reigns 
By  our  delay  ?     No,  let  us  rather  choose,  60 

Armed  Avith  hell-flames  and  fury,  all  at  once 
O'er  Heaven's  high  towers  to  force  resistless  way, 
Turning  our  tortures  into  horrid  arms 
Against  the  torturer;  when  to  meet  the  noise 
Of  his  almighty  engine  he  shall  hear  65 

Infernal  thunder,  and  for  lightning  see 
Black  fire  and  horror  shot  Avitli  equal  rage 
Among  his  angels,  and  his  throne  itself 
Mixed  Avith  Tartarean  sulphur  and  stiange  fire, 
His  own  invented  torments.      But  perhaps  VD 

The  way  seems  difficult  and  steep  to  scale 
With  upright  Aving  against  a  higher  foe : 
Let  such  bethink  them,  if  the  sleepy  drench 


43    Moloch.    See  1. 392-405.  69.   Tartarean,     belonging    to 

46.  The  pause  in  this  line  is  Tartams,  or  Ilell. 

after  was.  73.  such,  those  to  whom    the 

52    unexpert  agrees  Mith  I.  way  seems  difficult,  Stc 
65    engine,  thunderbolt. 


34  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  U 

Of  that  forgetful  lake  benumb  not  still, 

That  in  our  proper  motion  we  ascend  78 

Up  to  our  native  seat ;  descent  and  fall 

To  us  is  adverse.     AVho  but  felt  of  late, 

When  the  fierce  foe  hung  on  our  broken  rear 

Insulting  and  pursued  us  through  the  deep. 

With  what  compulsion  and  laborious  flight  30 

We  sunk  thus  low  ?     The  ascent  is  easy  then ; 

The  event  is  feared ;  should  we  again  provoke 

Our  stronger,  some  worse  way  his  wrath  may  find 

To  our  destruction,  if  there  be  in  Hell 

Fear  to  be  worse  destro}'ed.     What  can  be  worse   86 

Than  to  dwell  here,  driven  out  from  bliss,  condemned 

In  this  abhorred  deep  to  utter  woe ; 

Where  pain  of  unextinguishable  fire 

Must  exercise  us  without  hope  of  end. 

The  vassals  of  his  anger,  wdien  the  scourge  90 

Inexorably  and  the  torturing  hour 

Calls  us  to  penance  ?  —  more  destroyed  than  thus, 

We  should  be  quite  abolished,  and  expire. 

What  fear  we  then  ?  what  doubt  we  to  incense 

His  utmost  ire  ?  which,  to  the  height  enraged,  96 

Will  either  quite  consume  us  and  reduce 

To  nothing  this  essential  (happier  far 

Than  miserable  to  have  eternal  being  !)  ; 

Or,  if  our  substance  be  indeed  divine 

And  cannot  cease  to  be,  we  are  at  worst  lOO 

On  this  side  nothing ;  and  by  proof  we  feel 

Our  power  sufficient  to  disturb  hus  Heaven, 

74.  that  forgetful  lake.    See  I.,  94.  what  doubt  loe,  why  do  w« 

266.  hesitate. — to  incense,  to  inflamo 

75   proper,  that  which  belongs  97.  this   essential,   our  being  • 

k)  us  ;  natural.  our      existence. —  happier     far 

82.   The  event,  what  might  be  which  would  be  a   lot  far  hap 

the  result.  pier. 

89    exercise,  afflict ;  torment.  101.   On  this  side  nothing,  on 

91.  Inexorabhj.     Milton     may  this  side  of  nothing  ;  not  anmlu 

here  have  dictated  inexorable.  lated. 

92    than  thus,  than  we  are  now. 


Book  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  85 

And  -wltli  perpetual  inroads  to  alarm, 
Though  inaccessible,  his  fatal  throne  ; 
Which,  If  not  victory,  is  yet  revenge."  loi 

He  ended  frowning,  and  his  look  denounced 
Desperate  revenge,  and  battle  dangerous 
To  less  than  gods.     On  the  other  side  uprose 
Belial,  in  act  more  graceful  and  humane  : 
A  fairer  person  lost  not  Heaven  ;  he  seemed  iK 

For  dignity  composed  and  high  exploit  ; 
But  all  was  false  and  hollow,  though  his  tonn-ue 
Dropped  manna,  and  could  make  the  worse  appear 
The  better  reason,  to  perplex  and  dash 
Maturest  counsels ;  for  his  thoughts  were  low,         115 
To  vice  industrious,  but  to  nobler  deeds 
Timorous  and  slothful ;  yet  he  pleased  the  ear, 
And  with  persuasive  accents  thus  began  : 

"  I  should  be  much  for  open  war,  O  Peers, 
As  not  behind  in  hate,  if  what  was  urged  120 

Main  reason  to  persuade  immediate  war 
Did  not  dissuade  me  most,  and  seem  to  cast 
Ominous  conjecture  on  the  whole  success  ; 
When  he  who  most  excels  in  fact  of  arms, 
In  what  he  counsels  and  in  what  excels  la 

Mistrustful,  grounds  his  courage  on  despair 
And  utter  dissolution,  as  the  scope 
Of  all  his  aim  after  some  dire  revenge. 
First,  what  revenge  ?    The  towers  of  Heaven  are  filled 
With  armed  watch,  that  render  all  access  lac 


104.  fntnl^  upheld  by  fate.  121.  Main  reason,  as  the  main 

106.  (ffnounced,  threatened.  reason. 

109.  Belial.    See  I.  490-505.—  V23.0)ninoiis conjectiire,thn&t- 

act,  manner.  — humane,  retined  ;  ening  doubt ;  anticipation  of  evil, 

courteous.  124.  he,    Moloch.      See     Knes 

111    composed,  made.  51-105.  —fact,  deed  or  deeds. 

116.  industrious,     assiduously  130.  render  all  access  itnpreg- 

deToted.  naWe ,  make  approach  impossibl* 


B6  PARADISE  LOST.  LBooa:  Jl 

Impregnable  ;  oft  on  the  bordering  deep 

Encamp  their  legions,  or  Avith  obscure  wing 

Scout  far  and  wide  into  the  realm  of  night, 

Scorning  surprise.      Or  could  we  break  our  way 

By  force,  and  at  our  heels  all  Hell  should  rise         18S 

With  blackest  insurrection  to  confound 

Heaven's  purest  light,  yet  our  great  enemy 

All  incorruptible  would  on  his  throne 

Sit  unpolluted,  and  the  ethereal  mould, 

Incapable  of  stain,  would  soon  expel  14U 

Her  mischief,  and  purge  off  the  baser  fire, 

Victorious.      Thus  repulsed,  our  final  hope 

Is  flat  despair  :  we  must -exasperate 

The  almighty  victor  to  spend  all  his  rage, 

And  that  must  end  us ;  that  must  be  our  cure,        145 

To  be  no  more.      Sad  cure  !  for  Avho  would  lose, 

Though  full  of  pain,  this  intellectual  being, 

Those  thoughts  that  Avander  through  eternity, 

To  perish  rather,  swallowed  up  and  lost 

In  the  wide  womb  of  uncreated  night,  160 

Devoid  of  sense  and  motion  ?     And  Avho  knows, 

Let  this  be  good,  whether  our  angry  foe 

Can  give  It,  or  will  ever  ?  how  he  can. 

Is  doubtful ;  that  he  never  will,  is  sure. 

Will  he,  so  wise,  let  loose  at  once  his  Ire,  IB5 

Belike  through  impotence  or  unaware, 

To  give  his  enemies  their  Avish,  and  end 

Them  In  his  anger,  Avhom  his  anger  saves 

To  punish  endless  ?     AVherefore  cease  we  then, 

Say  they  who  counsel  war ;  we  are  decreed,  180 

Reserved,  and  destined  to  eternal  woe  ; 

134.  surprise,    the    danger    of  149.   To  jerish   rather,  prefeir 

being  surprised.  —  In   this    line  ring  to  perish, 

ind  the  next,  supply  if.  152.  Let  this  he  good,  8uppo8- 

138.  All  incorruptible,  not  to  be  ing  that  this  be  good,  or  desirable 

Unpaired.  156.  Belike,    perhaps. — impo- 

141.  Her,  its.  — mischief,  dam-  tence.  ungovernable  rage. 

»ge,    injury.  —  baser  fire  is  op-  159.  What  they  say  ends  vrith 

^osed  to  purest  light.  worse. 


Book  11.]  PARADISE  LOST.  91 

Whatever  doing,  what  can  we  suffer  more, 
What  can  we  suffer  worse  ?  —  Is  this  then  worst, 
Tlius  sitting,  thus  consulting,  thus  in  arms? 
What !  when  we  fled  amain,  pui-sued  and  struck     1« 
With  Heaven's  afflicting  thunder,  and  besought 
The  deep  to  shelter  us  ?  this  Hell  then  seemed    • 
A  refuge  fi-om  those  Avounds.     Or  when  we  lay 
Chained  on  the  burning  lake  ?  that  sure  was  wonie. 
What  if  the  breath  that  kindled  those  grim  fires,    170 
Awaked,  should  blow  them  into  sevenfold  rage, 
And  plunge  us  in  the  flames  ?  or  from  above 
Should  intermitted  vengeance  arm  again 
His  red  right  hand  to  plague  us  ?     What  if  all 
Her  stores  were  opened,  and  this  firmament  176 

Of  Hell  should  spout  her  cataracts  of  fire. 
Impendent  horrors,  threatening  hideous  fall 
One  day  upon  our  heads ;  while  we,  perhaps 
Designing  or  exhorting  glorious  war, 
Caught  in  a  fiery  tempest  shall  be  hurled  iso 

Each  on  his  rock  transfixed,  the  sport  and  prey 
Of  racking  whirlwinds,  or  forever  sunk 
Under  yon  boiling  ocean,  wrapt  in  chains  ; 
There  to  converse  with  everlasting  groans, 
Unrespited,  unpitied,  unreprieved,  183 

Ages  of  hopeless  end  ?     This  would  be  woi-se. 
War,  therefore,  open  or  concealed,  alike 
My  voice  dissuades  ;  for  what  can  force  or  guile 
With  him,  or  who  deceive  his  mind,  Avhose  eye 
Views  all  things  at  one  view  ?     He  from  Heaven's 
height  190 

All  these  our  motions  vain  sees  and  derides ; 

166.  afflicting.    See  I.  186.  186.  Ag^'s     of    hopfless     end. 

172.   Or,  or  what  if.  thiDugh  ages  without  hope  of 

175    Hfr  refers  to  vengeance.  end. 

176.  her,  its  188.  dissuades,  discouTa,gea.  — 

177.  Impendent,  hanging  over  what  can.  what  can/orce  or  ^uile 
n.s.  accomplish 

184.  converse,    be    familiar    or 
conversant  with. 


88  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Q 

Not  more  almighty  to  resist  our  might 

Than  wise  to  frustrate  all  our  plots  and  wiles. 

Shall  we  then  live  thus  vile,  the  race  of  Heaven. 

Thus  trampled,  thus  expelled,  to  suffer  here  IM 

Chains  and  these  torments  ?     Better  these  than  vvorse. 

By  my  advice  ;  since  fate  inevitable 

Subdues  us,  and  omnipotent  decree, 

The  victor's  will.     To  suffer,  as  to  do, 

Our  strength  is  equal,  nor  the  law  unjust  200 

That  so  ordains :  this  was  at  first  resolved, 

If  we  were  wise,  against  so  great  a  foe 

Contending,  and  so  doubtful  what  might  fall. 

I  iaugh,  when  those  who  at  the  spear  are  bold 

And  venturous,  if  that  fail  them,  shrink,  and  fear  2Ga 

What  yet  they  know  must  follow,  to  endure 

Exile,  or  ignominy,  or  bonds,  or  pain, 

The  sentence  of  their  conqueror :  this  is  now 

Our  doom,  which  if  we  can  sustain  and  bear, 

Our  supreme  foe  in  time  may  much  remit  210 

His  anger,  and  perhaps  thus  far  removed 

Not  mind  us  not  offending,  satisfied 

With  what  is  punished  :  whence  these  raging  fires 

Will  slacken,  if  his  breath  stir  not  their  flames. 

Our  purer  essence  then  will  overcome  216 

Their  noxious  vapor,  or  inured  not  feel ; 

Or  changed  at  length,  and  to  the  place  conformed 

In  temper  and  in  nature,  will  receive 

Familiar  the  fierce  heat,  and  void  of  pain ; 

This  horror  will  groAV  mild,  this  darkness  light :       220 

Besides  what  hope  the  never-ending  flight 

Of  future  days  may  bring,  what  chance,  what  change 

Worth  waiting,  since  our  present  lot  appears 

200.  equal,  equally  able.  having  become  accustomed  to  it 

201.  this  ivas  at  first  resolved,     cease  to  feel  it. 

to  this  {ViiAtxs,,  to  suffer  as  to  do)  2\8.  temper,    constitution     oi 

we  must  at  the  beginning  have  natural  condition. 

brought  our  mind.  21LV  the  ^fierce  heat  as  familiar 

203.  fall,  befall.  an/l  void  of  pain. 

316.  or   inured    not    feel^    or,  223.  waiting,  waitmg  for. 


Book  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  8S 

For  happy  tliougli  but  ill,  for  111  not  worst ; 

If  we  procure  not  to  oui-selves  more  woe."  23A 

Thus  Belial,  with  words  clothed  in  reason's  garb, 
Counselled  ignoble  ease  and  peaceful  sloth, 
Not  peace  ;  and  after  him  thus  Mammon  spake ; 

•'  Either  to  disenthrone  the  King  of  Heaven 
V»'^e  war.  if  war  be  best,  or  to  regain  23C 

Our  own  right  lost :  Him  to  unthrone  we  then 
May  hope,  when  everlasting  Fate  shall  yield 
To  fickle  Chance,  and  Chaos  judge  the  strife  : 
The  former  vain  to  hope,  argues  as  vain 
The  latter  ;  for  what  place  can  be  for  us  235 

Within  Heaven's  bound,  unless    Heaven's    lord   su- 
preme 
We  overpower  ?     Suppose  he  should  relent 
And  publish  grace  to  all,  on  promise  made 
Of  new  subjection  ;  with  what  eyes  could  we 
Stand  in  his  presence  humble,  and  receive  24u 

Strict  laws  imposed,  to  celebrate  his  throne 
With  warbled  hymns,  and  to  his  Godhead  sing 
Forced  hallelujahs ;  while  he  lordly  sits 
Om-  envied  sovran,  and  his  altar  breathes 
Ambrosial  odors  and  ambrosial  flowers,  249 

Our  servile  offerings  ?      This  must  be  our  task 
In  Heaven,  this  our  delight ;  how  wearisome 
Eternity  so  spent,  in  worship  paid 
To  whom  we  hate !     Let  us  not  then  pursue 
By  force  impossible,  by  leave  obtained  •  250 

Unacceptable,  though  in  Heaven,  our  state 
Of  splendid  vassalage  ;  but  rather  seek 


224.  though,  but  ill  for  a  hap-        241.  celebrate,   throng    around 
oy  oae,  yet  not  worst  for  an  evil  and  glorify. 

one.  249.  pursue,  seek  to  continue. 

225.  Marr->non.   Seel.  678-688.        250,  251.  The  adjectives  belong 
238.  grare,  pardon.  to  state. 


to  PARADISE  LOS'I.  [Book  U 

Our  own  good  from  ourselves,  and  from  our  own 

Live  to  ourselves,  though  in  this  vast  recess, 

Free  and  to  none  accountable,  preferring  2M 

Hard  liberty  before  the  easy  yoke 

Of  servile  pomp.      Our  greatness  will  appear 

Tlien  most  conspicuous,  when  great  things  of  small, 

Useful  of  hurtful,  prosperous  of  adverse 

We  can  create  ;  and  in  what  place  soe'er  280 

Thrive  under  evil,  and  work  ease  oiit  of  pain, 

Through  labor  and  endurance.      This  deep  Avorld 

Of  darkness  do  w^e  dread  ?     How  oft  amidst 

Thick  clouds  and  dark  doth  t^eaven's  all-ruling  Sire 

Choose  to  reside,  his  glory  unobscured,  265 

And  with  the  majesty  of  darkness  round 

Covers  his  throne ;  from  whence  deep  thunders  roar 

Mustering  their  rage,  and  Heaven  resembles  Hell  ! 

As  he  our  darkness,  cannot  we  his  light 

Imitate  when  we  please  ?     This  desert  soil  270 

Wants  not  her  hidden  lustre,  gems  and  gold  ; 

Nor  want  we  skill  or  art,  from  whence  to  raise 

Magnificence  ;  and  what  can  Heaven  show  more  ? 

Our  torments  also  may  in  length  of  time 

Become  our  elements,  these  piercing  fires  276 

As  soft  as  now  severe,  our  temper  changed 

Into  their  temper,  which  must  needs  remove 

The  sensible  of  pain.      All  things  Invite 

To  peaceful  counsels  and  the  settled  state 

Of  order,  how  in  safety  best  we  may  230 

Compose  our  present  evils,  with  regard 

Of  what  we  are  and  were,  dismissing  quite 

All  thought  of  war.     Ye  have  what  I  advise." 

253.  OUT    oicn,    -what    is    our  stances  or  matter  of  whbh  we 

o\vii.  are  composed. 

258.  of,  out  of.  276.  temper.    See  line  218. 

260.  in   what   place   soever,   in        278.  sensible  of,  sensibility  to. 
whatever  place  ;  anywhere.  280.  /ioic\  to  take  counsel  how 

264.  See  Psalm  xviii.  6-13.  implied  in  counsels. 

?75.  our    elements,    the    sub-        281.   Coinpose,  settle  ;  calm 


BookH.]  paradise  lost.  41 

He  scarce  had  finished,  when  such  murmur  filled 
The  assembly,  as  when  hollow  rocks  retain  285 

The  sound  of  blustering  winds,  which  all  night  long 
Had  roused  the  sea,  now  with  hoai'se  cadence  lull 
Sea-faring  men  o'erwatched,  whose  bark  by  chance 
Or  pinnace  anchors  in  a  craggy  bay 
After  the  tempest :  such  applause  was  heard  290 

As  Mammon  ended,  and  his  sentence  pleased, 
Advising  peace ;  for  such  another  field 
They  dreaded  worse  than  Hell,  so  much  the  fear 
Of  thunder  and  the  sword  of  jNIichael 
Wrought  still  withi^  them  ;  and  no  less  desire        296 
To  found  this  nether  empire,  which  might  rise, 
By  policy  and  long  process  of  time, 
In  emulation  opposite  to  Heaven. 
AVhich  when  Beelzebub  perceived,  than  Avhom, 
Satan  except,  none  higher  sat,  with  grave  300 

Aspect  he  rose,  and  in  his  rising  seemed 
A  pillar  of  state ;  deep  on  his  front  engraven 
Deliberation  sat  and  public  care  ; 
And  princely  counsel  in  his  face  yet  shone, 
Majestic  though  in  ruin  :  sage  he  stood,  806 

With  Atlantean  shoulders  fit  to  bear 
The  weight  of  mightiest  monarchies  ;  his  look 
Drew  audience  and  attention  still  as  night 
Or  summer's  noon-tide  air ;  while  thus  he  spake  : 

"  Thrones  and  Imperial  Powers,  offspring  of  Heaven, 
Ethereal  Virtues  !  or  these  titles  now  3i] 

Must  we  renounce,  and,  changing  style,  be  called 
Princes  of  Hell  ?  for  so  the  popular  vote 

287.  noio,  but  now.  300.  except,  excepted. 

288.  o'^ericatcheii,  having  302.  front,  forehead,  or  face, 
watched  too  long.                                  306.  Atlantean,    like   those  of 

29o.  desire,  the  desire  Atlas,    who    is    fabled    to    ha':-e 

29G.  tvliich,  that  it.  borne    the  world  on   his  ghoul- 

297.  policy,  politic  arts.  ders. 

299    Bedzebuh.    See  I.  78-81.  308.  audience,  hearing. 


ft2  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  11 

Inclines,  here  to  continue,  and  build  up  here 

A  growing  empire ;  doubtless  !  while  we  dream,     316 

And  know  not  that  the  King  of  Heaven  hath  doomed 

This  place  our  dungeon,  not  our  safe  retreat 

Beyond  his  potent  arm,  to  live  exempt 

From  Heaven's  high  jurisdiction,  in  new  league 

Banded  against  his  throne  ;  but  to  remain  aao 

In  strictest  bondage,  though  thus  far  removed, 

Under  the  inevitable  curb,  reserved 

His  captive  multitude  ;  for  he,  be  sure, 

In  height  or  depth,  still  first  and  last  will  reign 

Sole  king,  and  of  his  kingdom  lose  no  part  325 

By  our  revolt,  but  over  Hell  extend 

His  empire,  and  with  iron  sceptre  rule 

Us  here,  as  with  his  golden  those  in  Heaven. 

What  sit  we  then  projecting  peace  and  war  ? 

War  hath  determined  us,  and  foiled  with  loss  330 

Irrejitarable  ;  terms  of  peace  yet  none 

Vouchsafed,  or  sought ;  for  what  peace  will  be  given 

To  us  enslaved,  but  custody  severe, 

And  stripes,  and  arbitrary  punishment 

Inflicted  ?  and  what  peace  can  we  return,  335 

But  to  our  power  hostility  and  hate. 

Untamed  reluctance,  and  revenge,  though  slow, 

Yet  ever  plotting  how  the  conqueror  least 

May  reap  his  conquest,  and  may  least  rejoice 

In  doing  what  we  most  in  suffering  feel  ?  840 

Nor  will  occasion  want,  nor  shall  we  need 

With  dangerous  expedition  to  invade 

Heaven,  whose  high  walls  fear  no  assault  or  siege, 

Or  ambush  from  the  deep.      What  if  we  find 

Some  easier  enterjDrise  ?     There  is  a  place  341 

(If  ancient  and  prophetic  fame  In  Heaven 

315.  doubtless.      This   is    said  337.  reluctance^  struggling 

ereeringly,  like  "  forsooth."  agaiast. 

322.  reserved,  reserved  as.  341.  occasion,    opportunity 

329.  What,  why.  want  be  wanting. 

330.  determined,  finished. 
836.  io,  to  the  extent  of. 


BooKiL]  PARADISE  LOST.  48 

Err  not),  another  world,  the  hapj))'  seat 

Of  some  new  race  called  Llan,  about  this  time 

To  be  created  like  to  us,  though  less 

In  power  and  excellence,  but  favored  more  350 

Of  him  who  rules  above ;  so  was  his  will 

Pronounced  among  the  gods,  and  by  an  oath, 

That  shook  Heaven's  whole  circumference,  confirmed. 

Thither  let  us  bend  all  our  thoughts,  to  learn 

What  creatures  there  inhabit,  of  what  mould  866 

Or  substance,  how  endued,  and  what  their  power, 

And  where  their  weakness,  how  attempted  best, 

By  force  or  subtilty.     Though  Heaven  be  shut. 

And  Heaven's  high  arbitrator  sit  secure 

In  his  own  strength,  this  place  may  lie  exposed,       360 

The  utmost  border  of  his  kingdom,  left 

To  their  defence  who  hold  it :  here  perhaps 

Some  advantageous  act  may  be  achieved 

By  sudden  onset,  either  with  hell-fire 

To  waste  his  whole  creation,  or  possess  365 

All  as  our  own,  and  drive,  as  we  were  driven, 

The  puny  habitants  ;  or,  if  not  drive. 

Seduce  them  to  our  party,  that  their  God 

May  prove  their  foe,  and  with  repenting  hand 

Abolish  his  own  works.      This  would  surpass  870 

Common  revenge,  and  interrupt  his  joy 

In  our  confusion,  and  our  joy  upraise 

In  his  disturbance ;  when  his  darling  sons. 

Hurled  headlong  to  partake  with  us,  shall  curse 

Their  frail  original  and  faded  bliss,  878 

Faded  so  soon.     Advise  if  this  be  worth 

Attempting,  or  to  sit  in  dai-knesS  here 

Hatching  vain  empires."     Thus  Beelzebub 

Pleaded  his  devilish  counsel,  first  devised 

352.  See  Uebrews  vi.  17.  376.  Advise,  consider. 

357.  Iiow  attempted  best,  how  377.  or,  or  if  it  be  better, 

best  to  be  attacked.  370.  Pltadtd     urged;    preMW! 

366.  drive^  drive  out.  earuestly. 
375    original^  original  nature. 


44  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  a 

fiy  Satan,  an<l  in  part  proposed ;  for  whence,  880 

But  from  the  author  of  all  ill,  could  spring 

So  deep  a  malice,  to  confound  the  race 

Of  mankind  in  one  root,  and  Earth  with  Hell 

To  mingle  and  involve,  done  all  to  spite 

The  great  Creator  ?     But  their  spite  still  ser\'es     ffiS 

His  glory  to  augment.     The  bold  design 

Pleased  highly  those  infernal  states,  and  joy 

Sparkled  in  all  their  eyes :  with  full  assent 

They  vote  ;  whereat  his  speech  he  thus  renews  : 

"  Well  have  ye  judged,  well  ended  long  debate,  390 
Synod  of  gods  !  and,  like  to  what  ye  are. 
Great  things  resolved  ;  which  from  the  lowest  deep 
Will  once  more  lift  us  up,  in  spite  of  fate. 
Nearer  our  ancient  seat ;  perhaps  in  view  394 

Of  those  bright  confines,  whence  with  neighboring 

arms 
And  opportune  excursion  we  may  chance 
Reenter  Heaven ;  or  else,  in  some  mild  zone 
Dwell,  not  unvisited  of  Heaven's  fair  light. 
Secure,  and  at  the  brightening  orient  beam 
Purge  off  this  gloom  ;  the  soft  delicious  air,  400 

To  heal  the  scar  of  these  corrosive  fires, 
Shall  breathe  her  balm.     But  first,  whom  shall  we 

send 
In  search  of  this  new  world  ?  whom  shall  we  find 
Sufficient  ?  who  shall  tempt  with  wandering  feet 
The  dark  unbottomed  infinite  abj'ss,  loc 

And  through  the  palpable  obscure  find  out 
His  uncouth  way,  or  spread  his  aery  flight, 

Z%1.  statex^    assembled     coun-  free  from  anxiety.— onenf,  which 

ellors  ;  estates.  rises  and  gives  lustre. 

392.  resoli'ef/,  determined  on.  406.  obscure  is  u.sed  as  a  aouD- 

896.  excursion^  sallying  forth,  like  airj^vi  in  line  409. 

—c/^ance,  chance  to,  or  by  chance.  407.  vnconth,  maknow-n.  —  aety 

398.  of,  by.  See  I.  430  and  note. 

399    Secure.     Tithcut      care ; 


BookU.]  paradise  lost,  ih 

Upborne  with  indefatigable  Avings, 

Over  the  vast  abrupt,  ere  he  arrive 

The  happy  isle  ?  what  strength,  what  art,  can  then 

Suifice,  or  what  evasion  bear  him  safe  411 

Through  the  strict  senteries  and  stations  thick 

Of  angels  watching  round  ?  here  he  had  need 

All  circumspection,  and  we  now  no  less 

Choice  in  our  suffrage  ;  for  on  whom  we  send,        411 

Tlie  weight  of  all  and  our  last  hope  relies." 

This  said,  he  sat ;  and  expectation  held 
His  look  suspense,  awaiting  who  appeared 
To  second,  or  oppose,  or  undertake 
The  perilous  attempt ;  but  all  sat  mute,  420 

Pondering  the  danger  with  deep  thoughts,  and  each 
In  other's  countenance  read  his  own  dismay. 
Astonished.     Kone  among  the  choice  and  prime 
Of  those  heaven-warring  champions  could  be  found 
So  hardy  as  to  proffer  or  accept  42£ 

Alone  the  dreadful  voyage ;  till  at  last 
Satan,  whom  now  transcendent  glory  raised 
Above  his  fellows,  Avith  monarchal  pride, 
Conscious  of  highest  worth,  unmoved  thus  spake  : 

"  0  progeny  of  Heaven,  empyreal  Thrones  !       430 
With  reason  hath  deep  silence  and  demur 
Seized  us,  though  undismayed.     Long  is  the  way 
And  hard,  that  out  of  Hell  leads  up  to  light ; 
Our  prison  strong  ;  this  huge  convex  of  fire, 
Outrageous  to  devour,  immures  us  round  486 

Ninefold,  and  gates  of  burning  adamant 
Ban-ed  over  us  prohibit  all  egress. 

409.  arrive,  reach ;  arrive  at.  418.  si^penscy   suspended  ;   in 

ii2.  sentertes,  sentries.  —  sm-  suspense.  — appear ed,shou\i.6,f- 

Hons,  guards.  pear. 

414.  All,  of  all,  as  of  choice  in  426.  voyage,  journey 
the  next  line.  —  no  less,  no  less  4S4.  convex,  yiiuR. 

»eed.  435.   Outrageous,  funoT3a]Tag- 

415.  whom,  him  whom.  ing. 


16  PARADISE  LOST.  fKooK  11 

riiese  passed,  if  any  pass,  the  void  profound 

Of  unessential  night  receives  him  next, 

Wide  gaping,  and  with  utter  loss  of  being  440 

Threatens  him,  plunged  in  that  abortive  gulf. 

If  thence  he  scape  into  whatever  world 

Or  unknown  region,  what  remains  him  less 

Than  unknown  dangers  and  as  hard  escape  ? 

But  I  should  ill  become  this  throne,  O  Peers !         446 

And  this  imperial  sovranty,  adorned 

With  splendor,  armed  with  power,  if  aught  proposed 

And  judged  of  public  moment,  in  the  shape 

Of  difficulty  or  danger,  could  deter 

Me  from  attempting.      Wherefore  do  I  assume        450 

These  royalties,  and  not  refuse  to  reign, 

Refusing  to  accept  as  great  a  share 

Of  hazard  as  of  honor,  due  alike 

To  him  who  reigns,  and  so  much  to  him  due 

Of  hazard  more,  as  he  above  the  rest  455 

High  honoi-ed  sits  ?      Go,  therefore,  mighty  Powers, 

Terror  of  Heaven,  though  f  illen  !  intend  at  home, 

While  here  shall  be  our  home,  what  best  may  ease 

The  present  misery,  and  render  Hell 

More  tolerable  ;  if  tliere  be  cure  or  charm  460 

To  respite,  or  deceive,  or  slack  the  pain 

Of  this  ill  mansion.     Intermit  no  watch 

Against  a  wakeful  foe,  while  I  abroad 

Through  all  the  coasts  of  dark  destruction  seek 

Deliverance  for  us  all :  this  enterprise  4«6 

None  shall  partake  Avith  me."     Thus  saying  rose 

The  monarch  and  prevented  all  reply, 

Prudent,  lest  from  his  resolution  raised 

439.  unessential^  having  no  es-  453.  (Jve  alike ^  both  due  ;  th*t 

Bence  or  being.  is,  both  hazard  and  honor. 

442.  scape^  escape.  455.   Of  hazard  more.,  so  miieh 

443.  remains.,  is  left.  more  of  hazard  or  danger. 

448-  mome7it,  importance  ;  457.  intend,    consider  ;    dliec* 

Keight.  your  attention  to. 

451.  royalties,    attributes  of        468.  from  his  resolution  raised 

royalty.  roused  by  his  resolve. 


Qoon  IT.]  PARADISE   LOST.  47 

Others  among  the  chiefs  might  offer  now 

(Certain  to  be  refusetl)  what  erst  they  feared  ;        47C 

And,  so  refused,  might  in  opinion  stand 

His  rivals,  winning  cheap  the  high  repute 

Which  he  through  hazard  huge  must  earn.     But  cbcy 

Dreaded  not  more  the  adventure  than  his  voice 

Forbidding  ;   and  at  once  with  him  they  rose  :         476 

Their  rising  all  at  once  was  as  the  sound 

Ut'  thunder  heard  remote.      Towards  him  they  bend 

With  awful  reverence  prone ;  and  as  a  god 

Extol  him  equal  to  the  Highest  in  Heaven ; 

Nor  failed  they  to  express  how  much  they  praised 

That  for  the  general  safety  he  despised  481 

His  own ;  for  neither  do  the  Spirits  damned 

Lose  all  their  virtue,  lest  bad  men  should  boast 

Their  specious  deeds  on  earth,  which  glory  excites, 

Or  close  ambition  varnished  o'er  with  zeal.  485 

Thus  they  their  doubtful  consultations  dark 
Ended,  rejoicing  in  their  matchless  chief: 
As  when  from  mountain-tops  the  dusky  clouds 
Ascending,  while  the  north  wind  sleeps,  o'erspread 
Heaven's  cheerful  face,  the  louring  element  490 

Scowls  o'er  the  darkened  landscape  snow  or  shower, 
If  chance  the  radiant  sun  with  farewell  sweet 
Extend  his  evening  beam,  the  fields  revive, 
The  birds  their  notes  renew,  and  bleating  herds 
Attest  their  joy,  that  hill  and  valley  rings.  m 

O  shame  to  men !  devil  with  devil  damned 
Firm  concord  holds,  men  only  disagree 
Of  creatures  rational,  though  under  hope 
Of  heavenly  grace  ;  and,  God  proclaiming  peace, 

469.  offer.  oCfer  to  undertake.  fore  these  words,  supply  and.'^ 

470.  erst.    See  I.  360.  ele^nent.  sky  or  air. 

471.  opinion,  reputation.  491.  iScoivls,  scowling  shedl 
478.  prone,  inclined  ;   bending  492.  chance,  by  chance. 

forward.  495.  that,  so  that. 

4^5.  close,  secret ;  hidden.  499.  grace.    Sea  line  238. 

490.  the    louring  element.     Be- 


4S  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  U 

iTet  live  in  hatred,  enmity,  and  strife  50C 

Among  themselves,  and  levy  cruel  Avars, 

Wasting  the  earth,  each  otlier  to  destroy : 

As  if  (v.'hich  might  induce  us  to  accord) 

Man  had  not  hellish  foes  enow  besides, 

That  day  and  night  for  his  destruction  wait.  605 

The  Stygian  council  thus  dissolved  ;  and  forth 
In  order  came  the  grand  infernal  peers  : 
Midst  came  their  mighty  paramount,  and  seemed 
Alone  the  antagonist  of  Heaven,  nor  less 
Than  Hell's  dread  emperor,  with  pomp  supreme      510 
And  godlike  imitated  state.      Him  round 
.A  globe  of  fiery  Seraphim  enclosed 
With  briglit  emblazonry  and  horrent  arms. 
Then  of  their  session  ended  they  bid  cry 
With  trumpet's  regal  sound  the  great  result.  515 

Toward  the  four  winds  four  speedy  Cherubim 
Put  to  their  mouths  the  sounding  alchemy, 
By  herald's  voice  explained  ;  the  hollow  abyss 
Heard  far  and  wide,  and  all  the  host  of  Hell  519 

With  deafening  shout  returned  them  loud  acclaim. 

Thence  more  at  ease  their  minds,  and  somewhat 
raised 
By  fldse  presumptuous  hope,  the  ranged  powers 
Disband,  and  wandering  each  his  several  way 
Pursues,  as  inclination  or  sad  choice 
Leads  him  perplexed,  where  he  may  likeliest  find  625 
Truce  to  his  restless  thoughts,  and  entertain 
The  irksome  hours  till  his  great  chief  return. 

504    «no!t',  enough.  51S.  emblazonry,    emfclazcned 

506    iS/T/^/a/i,  infernal.     Seel,  or    pictured    shields. — honent, 

239.  bristlinp:. 

508   para77ioimt,    chief;   lord-  517.  alchemy,  metal  mixed  01 

paraEiount.  compounded  by  chemical  art. 

512.  g-/ote,  a  crowd  close  ranged  526.  c»ue/-<a(";j,employ  or  spend 

in  a  circle.  agreeably  ;  while  away. 


Rook  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  49 

Part  on  the  plain  or  in  the  air  sublime 

Upon  the  wing  or  in  swift  race  contend, 

As  at  the  Olympian  games  or  Pythian  fields  ;  68Q 

Part  curb  their  fiery  steeds,  or  shun  the  goal 

With  rapid  wheels,  or  fronted  brigades  form. 

As  when,  to  warn  proud  cities,  war  appears 

Waged  in  the  troubled  sky   and  armies  rush 

To  battle  In  the  clouds,  before  each  van  535 

Prick  forth  the  aery  knights,  and  couch  their  sj^ears 

Till  thickest  legions  close  ;  with  feats  of  arms 

From  either  end  of  heaven  the  welkin  burns. 

Others  with  vast  Typhoean  rage  more  fell 

Rend  up  both  rocks  and  hills,  and  ride  the  air        540 

In  whirlwind ;  Hell  scarce  holds  the  wild  uproar, 

As  when  Alcides  from  OEchalia  crowned 

With  conquest  felt  the  envenomed  robe,  and  tore 

Through  pain  up  by  the  roots  Thessalian  pines, 

And  Lichas  from  the  top  of  CEta  threw  54f 

Into  the  Eubolc  Sea.      Others  more  mild, 

528.  sirblitne,  high.  scribed  as  a  rtestructive  hurricane 

530-532.  The  Olympian  games  and  the  father  of  winds.  —  more 

were    celebrated    once    in    four  fell,  fiercer. 

years  at  Olympia,  in  Greece,  in  542-546.  Alcides,  Ilercnles.  lie 
honor  of  Zeus,  or  Jupiter.  The  was  called  Alcides  from  his  grand- 
Pythian  games  were  celebrated,  father  Alca?us,  and  was  celebrat- 
al'so  every  fourth  year,  in  honor  ed  for  his  great  strength.  On  his 
of  Apollo,  on  a  plain  in  the  neigh-  return  from  the  conquest  of 
boi-hood  of  Delphi.  The  contests  (Echaiia,  a  city  in  Thessaly,  he 
consisted  of  various  trials  of  prepared  to  offer  sacrifice  to  Zeus, 
strength  and  skill,  among  which  and  sent  his  attendant  Lirkas  to 
were  horse  and  chariot  i-aces. —  bring  him  a  white  garment.  His 
$hnn,  keep  clear  of;  drive  round  wife,  moved  by  jealovi.sy  of  a 
without  touching. — fronted hiig-  beautiful  captive  whom  he  had 
ades,  brigades  formed  witb.  a  taken,  sent  him  a  poisoned  robe 
front,  or  fronting  on  a  line.  instead,  which    threw   him   into 

533.  to  ivarn  proud  cities.    Ap-  such   agony   that  he   seized    the 

pearances  in  the   heavens,  such  messenger  by  the  feet,  and  hurled 

R«  are  hex-e  described,  are  consid-  him  into  the  sea  between  Thes- 

ered  as  warnings  by  the  super-  saly   and  the   island  of  Euboea. 

etitious.  hence  called  the  Eiihoic    Sea.  — 

536.  Prick,    come    upon     the  (Eta    was    a    mountain    in    the 

spur.  —  aery,  seen  in  the  air. —  south  of  Thessaly,  on  which  Her- 

rouch,  fix  or  set  for  attack.  cules    -aised  a  funeral   pile  and 

539.   2'//p/iaBan,fromTyphoeus,  caused  himself  to  be  burned  to 

a  monster  whc  Is  sometimes  de-  death. 
4 


50  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  II 

Retreated  in  a  silent  valley,  sing 

With  notes  angelical  to  many  a  harp 

Their  own  heroic  deeds  and  hapless  fall 

By  doom  of  battle  ;  and  complain  that  fete  660 

Free  virtue  should  enthrall  to  force  or  chance. 

Their  song  was  partial,  but  the  harmony 

(What  could  it  less  when  spirits  immortal  sing  ?) 

Suspended  Hell,  and  took  with  ravishment 

The  thronging  audience.     In  discourse  more  sweet 

(For  eloquence  the  soul,  song  charms  the  sense)      55fl 

Others  apart  sat  on  a  hill  retired, 

In  thoughts  more  elevate,  and  reasoned  high 

Of  providence,  foreknowledge,  will,  and  fate. 

Fixed  fate,  free  will,  foreknowledge  absolute;  bOO 

And  found  no  end,  in  wandering  mazes  lost. 

Of  good  and  evil  much  they  argued  then, 

Of  happiness  and  final  misery. 

Passion  and  apathy,  and  glory  and  shame. 

Vain  wisdom  all,  and  false  philosophy  ;  666 

Yet  with  a  pleasing  sorcery  could  charm 

Pain  for  a  while  or  anguish,  and  excite 

Fallacious  hope,  or  arm  the  obdurcd  breast 

With  stubborn  patience  as  with  triple  steel. 

Another  part,  in  squadrons  and  gross  bands,  570 

On  bold  adventure  to  discover  wide 

That  dismal  world,  if  any  clime  perhaps 

Might  yield  them  easier  habitation,  bend 

Four  ways  their  flying  march,  along  the  banks 

Of  four  infernal  rivers,  that  disgorge  676 

Into  the  burning  lake  their  baleful  streams ; 

Abhorred  Styx,  the  flood  of  deadly  hate ; 

552.  partial,    describing    only  Lethe,  were    the    rivers  of   tie 

heir  own  part  or  share.  lower  world.      The   v^orJ    Styx 

554.   Suspiniled,  held  mute.  implied     hate,    Acheron    sorrow 

568.  obdured,  hardened.  Cocytus  lamentation,  and  Fhleg- 

570.  ^0.^5,  dense,  or  large.  ethon  flaming.      The  Vford  Letht 

675.  four    infernal  rivers.    In  meant  obliyion. 
Grtek    mythology    these,    with 


Book  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  51 

Sad  Acheron,  of  sorrow  —  black  and  deep  ; 

Cocytus,  named  of  lamentation  loud 

Heard  on  the  rueful  stream  ;  fierce  Phlegethon        63C 

Whose  waves  of  torrent  fire  Inflame  with  rage. 

Far  oflf  from  these  a  slow  and  silent  stream, 

Lethe,  the  river  of  oblivion,  rolls 

Her  watery  labyrinth,  whereof  who  drinks 

Forthwith  his  former  state  and  being  forgets,  685 

Forgets  both  joy  and  grief,  pleasure  and  palu. 

Beyond  this  flood  a  frozen  continent 

Lies  dark  and  wild,  beat  with  perpetual  storms 

Of  whirlwind  and  dire  hall,  which  on  firm  land 

Thaws  not,  but  gathers  heap,  and  ruin  seems  590 

Of  ancient  pile  :  all  else,  deep  snow  and  ice, 

A  gulf  profound,  as  that  Serbonlan  bog 

Betwixt  Damlata  and  Momit  Casius  old, 

Where  armies  whole  have  sunk :  the  parching  air 

Burns  frore,  and  cold  performs  the  eflect  of  fire.     695 

Thither,  by  harpy-footed  Furies  haled, 

At  certain  revolutions  all  the  damned 

Are  brought ;   and  feel  by  turns  the  bitter  change 

Of  fierce  extremes,  extremes  by  change  more  fierce, 

From  beds  of  raging  fire  to  starve  In  ice  600 

Their  soft  ethereal  warmth,  and  there  to  pine 

Immovable,  Infixed,  and  frozen  round. 

Periods  of  time  ;    thence  hurried  back  to  fire. 

They  ferry  over  this  Lethean  sound 

Both  to  and  fi-o,  their  sorrow  to  augment,  605 

And  wish  and  struggle,  as  they  pass,  to  reach 

592.  that  Serhonian  bog.    This  dreaded  by  gods  and  men  as  the 

bog  -was  near  Mount  Cnsius.  east  punlshers  of  crime.  — hnrpy-foot- 

ol  Dnmiata  or  Dumietta,   on  the  e'/,  baring  the    feet  of  Harpies, 

rt  ad  from  Egypt  to  Syria.  Whole  These  were  disgusting  monsters, 

armies  are  said  to  have  been  here  with    the    bodies   of   birds,    the 

Bwallowed  up.  heads  of  maidens,  and  long  claws. 

695.  frore,  with  frost.  —haled,  dragged  or  pulled  yio- 

696.  harpy-footed  Furies.  The  lently  along.  ''  Haling  men  and 
Furies,  according  to  ancient  mj'-  women,  he  committed  them  to 
thology.  were  avenging  deities,     prison."    A^ts  viii.  3. 


52  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  U 

The  tempting  stream,  with  one  small  drop  to  lose 

In  sweet  forgetfulness  all  pain  and  woe, 

All  in  one  moment,  and  so  near  the  brink  ; 

But  fate  withstands,  and  to  oppose  the  attempt       610 

Medusa  with  Gorgonian  terror  guards 

The  ford,  and  of  itself  the  water  flies 

All  taste  of  living  wight,  as  once  it  fled 

The  lip  of  Tantalus.      Thus  roving  on, 

In  confused  march  forlorn,  the  adventurous  bands,  615 

With  shuddering  horror  pale  and  eyes  aghast, 

Viewed  first  their  lamentable  lot,  and  found 

No  rest :  through  many  a  dark  and  dreary  vale 

They  passed,  and  many  a  region  dolorous. 

O'er  many  a  frozen,  many  a  fiery  Alp,  620 

Rocks,  caves,  lakes,  fens,  bogs,  dens,  and  shades  of 

death  ; 
A  universe  of  death,  which  God  by  curse 
Created  evil,  for  evil  only  good. 
Where  all  life  dies,  death  lives,  and  nature  breeds 
Perverse  all  monstrous,  all  prodigious  things,  626 

Abominable,  inutterable,  and  worse 
Than  fables  yet  have  feigned  or  fear  conceived, 
Gorgons,  and  Hydras,  and  Chimaeras  dire. 

611.  Medusa  was  one  of  the  over  his  head,  which  moved  away 
tbree  Gorgons.  These  were  repre-  when  he  stretched  out  his  hand 
sented  as  frightful  beings,  whose  to  reach  them.  From  Tantalus 
heads  were  covered  with  hissing  comes  our  English  word  "tan- 
serpents    instead   of   hair.     The  talize." 

head  of  Medusa,  though  lier  face  617.    Viewed  Jirst^    had    their 

is  sometimes   described  as  vei'y  first  view  of. 

l)eantiful,   was  so   terrible   that  625.  j^rodi^-ious  things,  prodi- 

whoever     looked    upon    it    was  gies. 

changed  to  stone.  628.   Gorgons.    See    line    611, 

613.  wight,  person  ;  being.  and  note.  —  Hydras.    The  lljdra 

614.  Tantalus,  as  a  punish-  was  a  monster  witli  nine  heads, 
tnent  for  some  crime  committed  When  one  of  these  was  cut  ofl, 
against  Zeus,  was  condemned  in  two  new  ones  grew  in  its  place, 
the  lower  woi-ld  to  the  torments  It  was  finally  conquered  by  Iler- 
of  a  raging  thirst,  while  he  was  cules.  —  Chimeeras.  The  Chi- 
placed  in  the  midst  of  a  lake  the  ma;ra  was  a  fire-breathing  mon- 
waters  of  which  always  receded  stcr,  with  the  head  of  a  lion 
when  he  attempted  to  drink  them,  the  body  of  a  goat,  and  the  tail 
Branches  of  refreshing  fruit  hung  of  a  dragon.    The  word  cA/???  era 


Book  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  53 

Meanwhile  the  adversary  of  God  and  man, 
Satan,  with  thoughts  inflamed  of  highest  design,  .   690 
Puts  on  swift  wings,  and  towards  the  gates  of  Hell 
Explores  his  solitary  flight  ;  sometimes 
He  scours  the  right-hand  coast,  sometimes  the  lefl ; 
Now  shaves  with  level  wing  the  deep,  then  soars 
Up  to  the  fiery  concave  towering  high.  636 

As  when  far  off  at  sea  a  fleet  descried 
Hangs  in  the  clouds,  by  equinoctial  winds 
Close  sailing  fi'om  Bengala,  or  the  isles 
Of  Ternate  and  Tidore,  whence  merchants  bring 
Their  spicy  drugs  ;  they  on  the  trading  flood  640 

Through  the  wide  Ethiopian  to  the  Cape 
Ply,  stemming  nightly  toward  the  Pole  :  so  seemed 
Far  off  the  flying  Fiend.     At  last  appear 
Hell  bounds,  high  reaching  to  the  horrid  roof, 
And   thrice  threefold   the   gates ;    three    folds  were 
brass,  645 

Three  iron,  three  of  adamantine  rock, 
Impenetrable,  impaled  with  circling  fire, 
Yet  unconsumed.     Before  the  gates  there  sat 
On  either  side  a  formidable  shape ; 
The  one  seemed  woman  to  the  waist  and  fair,         660 
But  ended  foul  in  many  a  scaly  fold 
Voluminous  and  vast,  a  serpent  armed 
With  mortal  sting  :   about  her  middle  round 
A  cry  of  hell-hounds  never  ceasing  barked 
With  wide  Cerberean  mouths  full  loud,  and  runs:   665 


is  now  used  to  represent  any  wild  Ethiopian  Sea,  or  Indian  Ocean, 

fancy.  —the    Cape,   the  Cape  of  Gooct 

629.  adversary.     See  I.  82.  Hope. 

632.  Explores,  tracks ;    traces  642.  stemming,    making  their 

out.  way.  —  tiig/ithj,  by  night;  steer- 

635    to  wear?,  vault.  ing  bv  the  stars. —tAe   Pole,   the 

638.  Brngaln,  Bengal.  Soutli  Pole. 

639.  Ternate   ami    Tir/ore    are  647.  impaled,    enclosed ;    sur- 
islands  of  the  .\siatic  Archipel  •  rounded. 

ago,  near  the  Moluccas,  or  Spice  654.  rrj/,  pack, 

ielands.  Coo.   Ctrbf-renn.     Cerberus  was 

&\\.  the   wide    Ethiopian.,   the  the  triple-headed  dog  that  guard- 


5i  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  H 

A  hideous  peal ;  yet,  when  they  list,  would  creep, 

If  aught  disturbed  their  noise,  into  her  womb, 

And  kennel  there,  yet  there  still  barked,  and  howled 

Within  unseen.      Far  less  abhorred  than  these 

Vexed  Scylla,  bathing  in  the  sea  that  parts  660 

Calabria  from  the  hoarse  Trinacrian  shore ; 

Nor  uglier  follow  the  night-hag,  when,  called 

In  secret,  riding  through  the  air  she  comes. 

Lured  with  the  smell  of  infant  blood,  to  dance 

With  Lapland  witches,  while  the  laboring  moon     66fi 

Eclipses  at  their  charms.  /  The  other  shape  — 

If  shape  it  might  be  called  that  shape  had  none 

Distinguishable  in  member,  joint,  or  limb. 

Or  substance  might  be  called  that  shadow  seemed, 

For  each  seemed  either  —  black  it  stood  as  Night,  670 

Fierce  as  ten  Furies,  terrible  as  Hell, 

And  shook  a  dreadful  dart ;  what  seemed  his  head 

The  likeness  of  a  kingly  crown  had  on. 

Satan  was  now  at  hand,  and  from  his  seat 

The  monster  moving  onward  came  as  fast  675 

With  horrid  strides ;   Hell  trembled  as  he  strode. 

The  undaunted  Fiend  what  this  might  be  admired, 

Admired,  not  feared  ;   God  and  his  Son  except, 

Created  thing  nought  valued  he  nor  shunned  ; 

And  with  disdainful  look  thus  first  began  :  680 

''  Whence  and  what  art  thou,  execrable  shape. 
That  dar'st,   though  grim  and  terrible,  advance 
Thy  miscreated  front  athwart  my  way 

Dd  the  entrance  to  the  infernal  fearful  monster  having  fix  hpads 

regions.  and  barking  like  a  dog. 

659.  nhhorred^  to  be  abliorred.  662.  Nor  itij;lier^  nor  do  uglifii 

S60,  661.  Vexed  Scylla,  is  Tex-  shapes  or  hounds. 

ed    (chafed,     lashed)     Scylla.  —  6G5.  laboring.      This    word    h 

Sr.ylla  was  a  rock,  thought  to  be  applied  by   Latin  writei's  to  the 

dangerous  to  mariners,  in  the  sea  moon  under  eclipse, 

wtjgt  of  Italy,   between  Cfilnhria  677.  admired,  wondered, 

and     the     Trinacrian    (Sicilian)  679.  nought    nothing;  not  at 

skore.     It  was  personified  by  the  all. 
ancients,    and   represented   as  a 


Bi)OK  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  55 

To  yonder  gates  ?     Through  them  I  mean  to  pass, 
That  be  assured,  without  leave  asked  of  thee.  688 

Retire,  or  taste  thy  folly,  and  learn  by  proof. 
Hell-born,  not  to  contend  with  spirits  of  Heaven." 

To  whom  the  goblin  full  of  wrath  replied  : 
"  Art  thou  that  traitor  angel,  art  thou  he 
^\^lO  first  broke  peace  in  Heaven  and  faith,  till  then 
Unbroken,  and  in  proud  rebellious  arms  691 

Drew  after  him  the  third  part  of  Heaven's  sons. 
Conjured  against  the  Highest ;  for  which  both  thou 
And  they,  outcast  from  God,  are  here  condemned 
To  waste  eternal  da}-^  in  woe  and  pain  ?  695 

And  reckon 'st  thou  thyself  with  spirits  of  Heaven, 
Hell-doomed,  and  breath'st  defiance  here  and  scorn, 
Where  I  reign  king,  and,  to  enrage  thee  more, 
Thy  king  and  lord  ?      Back  to  thy  punishment, 
False  fugitive  !  and  to  thy  speed  add  wings,  700 

Lest  with  a  whip  of  scorpions  I  pursue 
Thy  lingering,  or  Avith  one  stroke  of  this  dart 
Strange  horror  seize  thee,  and  pangs  iinfelt  before.** 

So  spake  the  grisly  terror,  and  in  shape, 
So  speaking  and  so  threatening,  grew  tenfold  706 

More  dreadful  and  deform.      On  the  other  side, 
Incensed  with  indignation,  Satan  stood 
Unterrified,  and  like  a  comet  burned. 
That  fires  the  length  of  Ophluchus  huge 
In  the  arctic  sky,  and  from  his  horrid  hair  710 

Shakes  pestilence  and  war.     Each  at  the  head 
Levelled  his  deadly  aim  ;  their  fatal  hands 
No  second  stroke  intend ;  and  such  a  frown 

693.    Conjured,  conspired.  710.  horrid.     See  I.  563. 

707.  Incensed,     kiudled  ;     in-  711.   Snakes  pestiUnre  mil  ivar 

flamed.  Comets  were  anciently  suppo8e<| 

709.   Ophiuvhus,   or    Serpenta-  to  foretell  or  bring  public  caliun- 

tius,  is  a  northern  constellation  ities. 
which  winds  about  the  Pole. 


56  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  II 

Each  cast  at  the  other,  as  when  two  bhack  clouds 

With  heaven's  artillery  fraught  come  rattling  on     711 

Over  the  Caspian;  then  stand  front  to  front, 

Hovering  a  space,  till  winds  the  signal  blow 

To  join  their  dark  encounter  in  mid-air : 

So  frowned  the  mighty  combatants,  that  Hell 

Grew  darker  at  their  frown ;  so  matched  they  stood ; 

For  never  but  once  more  was  either  like  721 

To  meet  so  great  a  foe.      And  now  great  deeds 

Had  been  achieved,  whereof  all  Hell  had  rung, 

Had  not  the  snaky  sorceress  that  sat 

Fast  by  Hell-gate  and  kept  the  fatal  key,  725 

Risen,  and  with  hideous  outcry  rushed  between. 

"  O  father !  what  intends  thy  hand,"  she  cried, 
"  Against  thy  only  son  ?     What  fury,  O  son. 
Possesses  thee  to  bend  that  mortal  dart 
Against  thy  fother's  head  ?  and  know'st  for  Avhom  ? 
For  him  who  sits  above,  and  laughs  the  while  731 

At  thee  ordained  his  drudge,  to  execute 
Whate'er  his  wrath,  which  he  calls  justice,  bids  ; 
His  wrath,  which  one  day  will  destroy  ye  both ! " 

She  spake,  and  at  her  words  the  hellish  pest       735 
Foreborc ;  then  these  to  her  Satan  returned  : 

"  So  strange  thy  outcry,  and  thy  words  so  strange 
Thou  interposest,  that  my  sudden  hand. 
Prevented,  spares  to  tell  thee  yet  by  deeds 
What  it  intends,  till  first  I  know  of  thee  74Q 

What  thing  thou  art,  thus  double-formed,  and  why 
[n  this  infernal  vale  first  met,  thou  call'st 

716.  the  Caspian.    The  Caspian  See  1  Cor.  xv.  25,  26,  and  Ileb.  iL 

Bea  Is  said  to  be  very  tempest-  14. 
uous.  723.  Harl.,  would  have.  ~kad 

721.  like.,  likely.  nuii^,  would  have  rung. 

722.  To  meet  so  great   a  foe.        725.   Fast  by.     See  I.  12. 
WTien  Christ  would  subdue  them. 


Book  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  67 

Me  father,  and  that  phantasm  call'st  my  son : 

r  know  thee  not,  nor  ever  saw  till  now 

Sight  more  detestable  than  hun  and  thee/*  74fi 

To  whom  thus  the  portress  of  Hell-gate  replied  : 
"  Hast  thou  forgot  me  then,  and  do  I  seem 
Now  in  thine  eye  so  foul,  once  deemed  so  fair 
In  Heaven  ?  when  at  the  assembly,  and  in  sight 
Of  all  the  Seraphim  with  thee  combined  750 

In  bold  conspiracy  against  Pleaven's  king, 
All  on  a  sudden  miserable  pain 
Surprised  thee,  dim  thine  eyes,  and  dizzy  swum 
In  darkness,  while  thy  head  flames  thick  and  fast 
Threw  forth  ;  till,  on  the  left  side  opening  wide,     755 
Likest  to  thee  in  shape  and  countenance  bright, 
Then  shining  heavenly  fiir,  a  goddess  armed, 
Out  of  thy  head  I  sprung  :  amazement  seized 
All  the  host  of  Heaven ;  back  they  recoiled,  afraid 
At  fii-st,  and  called  me  Sin,  and  for  a  sign  760 

Portenteous  held  me  ;  but  familiar  grown 
I  pleased,  and  with  attractive  graces  won 
The  most  averse,  thee  chiefly,  who  full  ofl 
Thyself  in  me  thy  perfect  image  viewing 
Becam'st  enamored,  and  such  joy  thou  took'st  765 

With  me  in  secret,  that  my  womb  conceived 
A  growing  burden.     Meanwhile  war  arose, 
And  fields  were  fought  in  Heaven,  wherein  remained 
(For  what  could  else  ?)   to  our  almighty  foe 
Clear  victory,  to  our  part  loss  and  rout,  770 

Tlirough  all  the  erapyre'an :  down  they  fell, 
Driven  headlong  from  the  pitch  of  Heaven,  down 
Into  this  deep,  and  in  the  general  fill 
I  also ;  at  which  time  this  powerful  key 
Cnto  my  hand  was  given,  with  charge  to  keep         mf 

758.  I  sprung,  as  Minerva  from    est    heaven  ;     the    purest     el* 
the  bead  of  Jove.  ment.    From  the  Greek  for  fire. 

771.  the  empyrean,   the  high-        772.  pitc/i,  hei;cht. 


58  PARABIbE  LOST.  [Book  II 

These  gates  forever  shut,  which  none  can  pass 

Without  my  opcningt      Pensive  here  I  sat 

Alone,  but  long  I  sat  not,  till  my  womb, 

Pregnant  by  thee  and  noAv  excessive  grown, 

Prodigious  motion  felt  and  rueful  throes.  780 

At  last  this  odious  offspring  wdiom  thou  seest, 

Thine  own  begotten,  breaking  violent  way, 

Tore  through  my  entrails ;  that,  with  fear  and  pain 

Distorted,  all  my  nether  shape  thus  grew 

Transformed  ;  but  he,  my  inbred  enemy,  '  786 

Forth-issued,  brandishing  his  fatal  dart 

Made  to  destroy  :  I  fled,  and  cried  out  Death! 

Hell  trembled  at  the  hideous  name,  and  sighed 

From  all  her  caves,  and  back  resounded  DeatJi  I 

I  fled,  but  he  pursued  (though  more,  it  seems,         790 

Inflamed  with  lust  than  rage)  and,  s\vifter  far, 

Me  overtook,  his  mother,  all  dismayed, 

And  in  embraces  forcible  and  foul, 

Ingendering  with  me,  of  that  rape  begot 

These  yelling  monsters,  that  with  ceaseless  cry        79e 

Surround  me,  as  thou  saw'st,  hourly  conceived, 

And  hourly  born,  Avith  sorrow  infinite 

To  me  ;  for,  when  they  list,  into  the  womb 

That  bred  them  they  return,  and  howl,  and  gnaw 

My  bowels,  their  repast ;  then  bursting  forth  800 

Afresh,  with  conscious  terrors  vex  me  round, 

That  rest  or  intermission  none  I  find. 

Before  mine  eyes  in  opposition  sits 

Grim  Death,  my  son  and  foe,  who  sets  them  on, 

And  me  his  parent  would  full  soon  devour  30| 

For  want  of  other  prey,  but  that  he  knows 

His  end  with  mine  involved,  and  knows  that  1 

Should  prove  a  bitter  morsel  and  his  bane, 

Whenever  that  shall  be ;  so  Fate  pronounced. 

But  thou,  O  father  !  I  forewarn  thee,  shun  918 

Hip  deadly  aiTOw     neither  vainly  hope 


Book  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  59 

To  be  invulnerable  in  those  briglit  arms, 

Though  tempered  heavenly  ;  for  that  mortal  dint, 

Save  he  who  reigns  above,  none  can  resist." 

She  finished,  and  the  subtle  Fiend  his  lore  81B 

Soon  learned,  now  milder,  and  thus  answered  smooth : 

«  Dear  daughter,  since  thou  claim'st    me  for  thy 
sire, 
And  my  fair  son  here  show'st  me  (the  dear  pledge 
Of  dalliance  had  with  thee  in  Heaven,  and  joys 
Then  sweet,  now  sad  to  mention,  through  dire  change 
Befallen  us,  unforeseen,  unthought  of),  know  821 

I  come  no  enemy,  but  to  set  free 
From  out  this  dark  and  dismal  house  of  pain 
Both  him  and  thee,  and  all  the  heavenly  host 
Of  spirits  that,  in  our  just  pretences  armed,  825 

Fell  with  us  from  on  high :  from  them  I  go 
This  uncouth  errand  sole,  and  one  for  all 
Myself  expose,  with  lonely  steps  to  tread 
The  unfounded  deep,  and  through  the  void  imrnenc^ 
To  search  with  Avandering  quest  a  place  foretold    830 
Should  be,  and,  by  concurring  signs,  ere  nov/ 
Created  vast  and  round,  a  place  of  bliss 
In  the  purlieus  of  Heaven,  and  therein  placed 
A  race  of  upstart  creatures,  to  supply 
Perhaps  our  vacant  room,  though  more  removed,    835 
Lest  Heaven,  surcharged  with  potent  multitude, 
Might  hap  to  move  new  broils.      Be  this  or  aught 
Than  this  more  secret  now  designed,  I  haste 


%\Z.  tempered    heavenly.      See  830. /oretoW,  which  it  haabeea 

1.  285.  — (i/H/,  stroke.  foretold. 

825.  pretences,  claims  ;  preten-  837.  woi-p,    excite.  — Se    «A«, 

tions.  whether     this    or     aiiglit    more 

827.  uncouth.      See     liae   407.  secret    than    this    be    noio    Ue- 

iole,  alone  ;  b}-  in5'self.  signed. 

829.  imfnundi'il,  bottomless,  or 
without  foundation. 


00  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  11 

To  know  ;  and,  tlils  once  known,  shall  soon  return, 
And  bring  ye  to  the  place  where  thou  and  Death 
Shall  dwe  1  at  ease,  and  up  and  down  unseen  841 

Wing  silently  the  buxom  air,  embalmed 
With  odors :   there  ye  shall  be  fed  and  filled 
Immeasurably,  all  things  shall  be  your  prey.'* 

He  ceased,  for  both  seemed  highly  pleased,  and 
Death  845 

Grinned  horrible  a  ghastly  smile,  to  hear 
His  famine  should  be  filled,  and  blessed  his  maw- 
Destined  to  that  good  hour :  no  less  rejoiced 
His  mother  bad,  and  thus  baspake  her  sire : 

"  The  key  of  this  infernal  pit,  by  due  850 

And  by  command  of  Heaven's  all-powerful  king, 

1  keep,  by  him  forbidden  to  unlock 
These  adamantine  gates ;  against  all  force 
Death  ready  stands  to  interpose  his  dart, 

Fearless  to  be  o'ermatched  by  living  might.  855 

But  what  owe  I  to  his  commands  above 

Who  hates  me  and  hath  hither  thrust  me  down 

Into  this  gloom  of  Tartarus  profound, 

To  sit  in  hateful  office  here  confined, 

Inhabitant  of  Heaven  and  heavenly-born,  860 

Here  in  perpetual  agony  and  pain. 

With  terrors  and  with  clamors  compassed  round 

Of  mine  OAvn  brood  that  on  my  bowels  feed  ? 

Thou  art  my  father,  thou  my  author,  thou 

My  being  gav'st  me  ;  whom  should  I  obey  861 

But  thee  ?  whom  follow  ?     Thou  wilt  bring  me  soon 

To  that  new  world  of  light  and  bliss,  among 

The  gods  who  live  at  ease,  where  I  shall  reign 

842.  buxom,     yielding  ;      obe-  850.  bj/  due,  by  due  right, 

dient.  —  embalmed,  made  balmy,  855.  Fearless,  not  fearing 

ir  fragrant.  858.   Tartarus^  Hell. 

347.  famine,  hunger  ;  craving. 


BooKlI]  PARADISE  LOST.  61 


At  thy  rlgl.t  hand  voluptuous,  as  beseems 
Thy  daughter  and  thy  darling 


870 


Thus  saying,  from  her  side  the  fatal  key, 
Sad  instrument  of  all  our  woe,  she  took  ; 
And,  towards  the  gate  rolling  her  bestial  train, 
Forth-vvith  the  huge  portcullis  high  up-drew ; 
Which  but  herself  not  all  the  Stygian  powers  878 

Could  once  have  moved  ;  then  in  the  key-hole  turns 
The  intricate  wards,  and  every  bolt  and  bar 
Of  massy  iron  or  solid  rock  with  ease 
Unfastens  :  on  a  sudden  open  fly 
With  impetuous  recoil  and  jarring  sound  880 

The  infernal  doors,  and  on  their  hinges  grate 
Harsh  thunder,  that  the  lowest  bottom  shook 
Of  Erebus.      She  opened,  but  to  shut 
Excelled  her  power ;  the  gates  wide  open  stood, 
That  with  extended  wings  a  bannered  host,  886 

Under  spread  ensigns  marching,  might  pass  through 
With  horse  and  chariots  ranked  in  loose  array  ; 
So  wide  they  stood,  and  like  a  furnace  mouth 
Cast  forth  redounding  smoke  and  ruddy  flame. 

Before  their  eyes  in  sudden  view  appear  890 

The  secrets  of  the  hoary  deep,  a  dark 
Illimitable  ocean,  without  bound. 
Without    dimension;    where    length,    breadth,     and 

highth, 
And  time  and  place  are  lost ;  where  eldest  Nio-ht 
And  Chaos,  ancestors  of  Nature,  hold  gge 

Eternal  anarchy  amidst  the  noise 
Of  endless  wars,  and  by  confusion  stand  : 
For  Hot,  Cold,  Moist,  and  Dry,  four  champions  fierce, 

877.  wards,  diyLsions  or  parts        883.  Erebus,  the  place  of  dark. 
61   a    lock,    here    applied    to    a    ness  ;  II"!!. 

^lao  QQ-    w    ,        *u  ^  ^^^-  ^'^^^^^«':     Creation;     the 

vw,  bSo.  that,  so  that.  world  of  organized  matf«r. 


62  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Ij. 

Strl%c  here  for  mastery,  and  to  battle  bring 

Their  embryon  atoms  ;  they  around  the  flag  90C 

Of  each  his  faction,  in  their  several  clans, 

Light  armed  or  heavy,  sharp,  smooth,  swifts  or  slow, 

Swarm  populous,  unnumbered  as  the  sands 

Of  Barca  or  Gyrene's  torrid  soil, 

Levied  to  side  with  warring  winds,  and  poise  908 

Tlieir  lighter  wings.      To  whom  these  most  adhere, 

He  rules  a  moment ;   Chaos  umpire  sits. 

And  by  decision  more  embroils  the  fray 

By  which  he  reigns;  next  him  high  arbiter 

Chance  governs  all.      Into  this  wild  abyss  —  910 

The  womb  of  Nature  and  perhaps  her  grave, 

Of  neither  sea,  nor  shore,  nor  air,  nor  fire. 

But  all  these  in  their  pregnant  causes  mixed 

Confusedly,  and  whicli  tluis  must  ever  fight. 

Unless  the  Almighty  Maker  them  ordain  915 

His  dark  materials  to  create  more  worlds  — 

Into  this  wild  abyss  the  wary  Fiend 

Stood  on  the  brink  of  IIcll,  and  looked  awhile, 

Pondering  his  voyage  ;  for  no  narrow  frith 

He  had  to  cross :  nor  was  his  ear  less  pealed  930 

With  noises  loud  and  ruinous  (to  compare 

Great  things  with  small)  than  when  BcUona  storms 

With  all  her  battering  engines  bent  to  rase 

Some  capital  city ;  or  less  than  if  this  frame 

Of  heaven  were  falling,  and  tbese  elements  926 

[n  mutiny  had  from  her  axle  torn 

The  steadfast  earth.      At  last  his  sail-broad  vans 

900.  emhryon^Grvibrjo.  whom.  —  these    most,    most    of 

901.  Of  each,  ea,ch  of;  or  each    the.<5e  atoms. 

lis  is  each's,  each,  one's.  920.  pealed,  assailed  or  stunned 

903    unnumbered,     innumera-  as  with  a  peal. 

ble.  921    ruinous,  like  that  of  the 

904.  Barca  and  Cyrene  were  in  fall  of  buildings. 

Ihe  north  of  Africa.  922.  Bellona,  the  Roman  god 

905.  poise,  give  weight  to.  dess  of  war. 

906.  To-  v)hom,    he    (that  is,        923.  rase,  raze  ;  overthrow. 
either  hot,  cold,  moist,  or  dry)  to        927.  vans,  wings. 


Book  II.]  PARADISE  LOST.  63 

He  spreads  for  fli.c^lit,  and  in  the  surging  smoke 

Uplifted  spurns  tlie  ground  ;  thence  many  a  league 

As  in  a  cloudy  chair  ascending  rides  ^''^ 

Audacious ;  but,  that  seat  soon  failing,  meets 

A  vast  vacuity  :  all  unawares. 

Fluttering  his  pennons  vain,  plumb  down  he  drops 

Ton  thousand  fathom  deep,  and  to  this  hour 

Down  had  been  foiling,  had  not  by  ill  chance  98fi 

The  strong  rebutf  of  some  tumultuous  cloud, 

Instinct  Avith  fire  and  nitre,  hurried  him 

As  many  miles  aloft :  that  fury  stayed, 

Quenched  in  a  boggy  Syrtis,  neither  sea 

Nor  good  dry  land,  nigh  foundered  on  he  fares,       wo 

Treading  the  crude  consistence,  half  on  foot. 

Half  flying  ;  behooves  him  now  both  oar  and  sail. 

As  when  a  gryphon  through  the  wilderness 

With  winged  course  o'er  hill  or  moory  dale 

Pursues  the  Arimaspian,  Avho.by  stealth  946 

Had  from  his  wakeful  custody  purloined 

The  guarded  gold,  so  eagerly  the  Fiend 

O'er  bog  or  steep,  through  strait,  rough,  dense,  or 

rare. 
With  head,  hands,  wings,  or  feet,  pursues  his  way, 
And  swims,  or  sinks,  or  wades,  or  creeps,  or  flies.    95C 
At  length  a  universal  hubbub  wild 
Of  stunning  sounds  and  voices  all  confused. 


929.  spur7is,  presses  -with    his  911.  cntrfe     consistence,     sub 

foot  ia  springing.  stance  not  yet  firm. 

931.  Audncious.  bold  ;  daring.  942.  behooves    him    now,    aad 

933.  pennonx,  wings.  — plumb,  now  he  needs, 

in  a  peroendicular  direction  ;  like  943-947.  gryp/jow,    or    griffin, 

a  plumb-line.  This   wa.s   a    fabulous    monster, 

935.  had      See  line  723.  —  had  said  to  have  had  the  head  and 

not.  \fthe  strons  rebuffhsiA  not.  wings  of  an  eagle  with  the  body 

937.  1)1  St; net,  excited  ;  stirred  of  a  lion,  and  to  have  been  found 

938.  stalled,  being  stayed ;  hav-  in  the  mountainous  regions  north 
iiig  ceased".  of  Scythia,  the  gold  of  which  i1 

939.  Syrtis,  a  quicksand.  guarded.     The  one-eyed  Anmas- 
ftiO.  nigh,  almost.  pians,  a  people  of  Scythia,  some 

times  purloined  this  gold. 


64  PARADISE   LOST.  [Book  H 

Borne  through  the  hollow  dark,  assaults  his  ear 

With  loudest  vehemence  :  thither  he  plies 

Undaunted,  to  meet  there  Avhatever  Power  955 

Or  Spirit  of  the  nethermost  abyss 

Might  in  that  noise  reside,  of  whom  to  ask 

Which  way  the  nearest  coast  of  darkness  lies 

Bordering  on  light  ;  when  straight  behold  the  throne 

Of  Chaos,  and  his  dark  pavilion  spread  960 

Wide  on  the  wasteful  deep  !      AVith  him  enthroned 

Sat  sable-vested  Night,  eldest  of  things. 

The  consort  of  his  reign  ;  and  l^y  them  stood 

Orcus  and  Ades,  and  the  dreaded  name 

Of  Demogorgon  ;  Rumor  next  and  Chance,  965 

And  Tumult  and  Confusion  all  embroiled, 

And  Discord  with  a  thousand  various  mouths. 

To  whom  Satan  turning  boldly,  thus  :  —  "  Ye  Powera 

And  Spirits  of  this  nethermost  abyss, 

Chaos  and  ancient  Night,  I  come  no  spy  970 

With  purpose  to  explore  or  to  disturb 

The  secrets  of  your  realm ;  but  by  constraint 

Wandering  this  darksome  desert,  as  my  way 

lies  through  your  spacious  empire  up  to  light, 

Alone  and  without  guide,  half  lost,  I  seek  975 

What  readiest  path  leads  where  your  gloomy  bounds 

Confine  with  Heaven ;  or  if  some  other  place 

From  your  dominion  won  the  ethereal  king 

Possesses  lately,  thither  to  arrive 

I  travel  this  profound.     Direct  my  course  :  980 

954.  plies^    bends     his    way  ;  See  Spenser's  Faenj  Qiicene^  Can- 
hastens,  to  I.  Stanza  xxxrii. : 

959.  straight,  straightway  ;  im-  „  ^  ^,„,^  ^^^           ^^^^  ^^^^  j^  ^^^ 

mediately.  V,y  ^ame 

964.  Orcus  and  Aries  (OTllndes).  Great  Gorgon,  prince  of  durkaew 

These  were  names  given  by  the  «nd  dead  night, 

nucients  to  Pluto,  the  god  of  the  ^^  which  Cocytus  quakes,  and  Styx 

lower  or  nether  world,  and  also  "^  ^"^  ^"  '^'S'u. 

applied   to   his  dominions. — the  977.    Confine  with,  border  up- 

dreaded  name.  The  ancients  were  on  ;  have  limits  together  with, 

superstitiously  afraid  of  uttering  979.  Possesses  lately,  ha£  latelj 

the  word  Gorgon  or  Dcrnvfiorgon.  taken  po.ssessiou  of. 


BoKlL]  PARADISE  LOST.  65 

Directed,  no  mean  recompense  it  brings 

To  your  behoof,  if  I  that  region  lost, 

All  usurpation  thence  expelled,  reduce 

To  her  original  darkness  and  your  sway 

(AVhich  Is  my  present  journey),  and  once  more       966 

Erect  tlie  standard  there  of  ancient  Night ; 

Yours  be  the  advantage  all,  mine  the  revenge  I  ^' 

Thus  Satan ;  and  him  thus  the  Anarch  old, 
With  laltering  speech  and  visage  incomposed. 
Answered  :  —  "  I    know    thee,    stranger,    Avho    thou 
art,  990 

That  mighty  leading  angel,  who  of  late 
Made    head    against    Heaven's    king,  though    over- 
thrown. 
I  saw  and  heard  ;  for  such  a  numerous  host 
Fled  not  in  silence  through  the  frighted  deep, 
With  ruin  upon  ruin,  rout  on  rout,  996 

Confusion  worse  confounded  ;  and  Heaven-gates 
Poured  out  by  millions  her  victorious  bands 
Pursuing.     I  upon  my  frontiers  here 
Keep  residence  ;  if  all  I  can  will  serve 
That  little  which  is  left  so  to  defend,  lOOO 

Encroached  on  still  through  your  intestine  broils 
Weakening  the  sceptre  of  old  Xight :  first  Hell, 
Your  dungeon,  stretching  far  and  wide  beneath ; 
Now  lately  heaven  and  earth,  another  world 
Hung  o'er  my  realm,  linked  in  a  golden  chain       1005 
To  that  side  Heaven  from  whence  your  legions  fell  : 
If  that  way  be  your  Avalk,  you  have  not  far ; 
So  much  the  nearer  danger.      Go  and  speed  I 
Havoc   and  spoil  and  ruin  are  my  gain." 

985.  TWuc/i  is,  which    is    the  1002.  first   Hell,  first    to    en 

purpose  of.                                    '  croach  was  Hell. 

989.  incomposed,      disturbed  ,  1007.  far,  far  to  go. 

discomposed.  1008.  the    nearer    danger^    th« 

999.  if  all  I  can,  to  try  if  all  nearer  is  danger, 
that  1  can  do. 

5 


6G  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  II 

He  ceased,  and  Satan  staid  not  to  reply,  lOK 

But,  glad  that  now  the  sea  should  find  a  shore, 
With  fresh  alacrity  and  force  renewed 
Springs  upward,  like  a  pyramid  of  fire, 
Into  the  wild  expanse ;  and  through  the  shock 
Of  fighting  elements,  on  all  sides  round  lOlf 

Environed,  wins  his  way ;  harder  beset 
And  more  endangered  than  when  Argo  passed 
Through   Bosporus  betwixt  the  justling  rocks  ; 
Or  when  Ulysses  on  the  larboard  shunned 
Charybdis,  and  by  the  other  whirlpool  steered.       lost? 
So  he  with  difficulty  and  labor  hard 
Moved  on,  with  difficulty  and  labor  he ; 
But  he  once  passed,  soon  after  when  Man  fell  — 
Strange  alteration  !  —  Sin  and  Death  amain 
Following  his  track  (such  was  the  will  of  Heaven) 
Paved  after  him  a  broad  and  beaten  way  102<5 

Over  the  dark  abyss,  whose  boiling  gulf 
Tamely  endured  a  bridge  of  wondrous  length 
From  Hell  continued,  reaching  the  utmost  orb 
Of  this  frail  World ;  by  which  the  spirits  perverse 
With  easy  intercourse  pass  to  and  fro  1031 

To  tempt  or  punish  mortals,  except  whom 
God  and  good  angels  guard  by  special  grace. 

But  now  at  last  the  sacred  influence 
Of  light  appears,  and  from  the  walls  of  Heaven     1035 
Shoots  far  into  the  bosom  of  dim  night 
A  glimmering  dawn  :  here  Nature  first  begins 

1016-1018.  When  the  ship -ilrg-o  the  Odj'ssey.    Among  them  was 

was  on  its  way  to  Colchis  for  the  his  escape  from  tlie  dangers  of 

recovery    of   the    golden    fleece,  Scylla  (see  note  to  line  GGO)  and 

which  had  heen  carried  thither,  Charybdis,  the  names  of  a  rock 

It  passed,  at  the  entrance  of  the  and  whirlpool  between  Italy  and 

Euxine  (or  Black)  Sea  from  the  Sicily. 

Bospims,       between    the    rocks  1029.  utmost,  extreme;  outer- 
tailed   the    Symplegades,   which  most.     See  line  1039. 
then  closed  behind  it.  1032.  tvJiom,  those  whom. 

1019,  1020.  The  adventures  of  1037.  Nature.    See  line  896. 
Ulysses  are  related  by  Ilomer  in 


Book  11.]  PARADISE  LOST.  67 

Her  farthest  verge,  and  Chaos  to  retire, 

As  from  her  outmost  works,  a  broken  foe, 

With  tumult  less  and  with  less  hostile  din ;  1040 

That  Satan,  with  less  toil  and  now  with  ease, 

Wafts  on  the  calmer  wave  by  dubious  light ; 

And  like  a  weather-beaten  vessel  holds 

Gladly  the  port,  though  shrouds  and  tackle  torn  : 

Or  In  the  emptier  waste  resembling  air  1016 

Weighs  his  spread  wings,  at  leisure  to  behold 

Far  off  the  empyreal  Heaven,  extended  wide 

In  circuit  undetermined  square  or  round. 

With  opal  towers  and  battlements  adorned 

Of  living  sapphire,  once  his  native  seat ;  1060 

And  fast  by,  hanging  in  a  golden  chain. 

This  pendent  World,  In  bigness  as  a  star 

Of  smallest  magnitude  close  by  the  moon. 

Thither,  full  fraught  with  mischievous  revenge, 

Accursed  and  in  a  cursed  hour,  he  hies.  1066 

1038.  to  retire,  begins  to  retire.        1046.  Weighs,  balances  ;  poises. 

1041.   That,    60     that.  —  with        1848.  undetermined,  not  to  iM 
less,  first  with  less.  determined  whether. 

1043.  holds,     gains,    or     has 
reached. 


BOOK   ffl. 

THE  ARGUMENT 

GrOD  sittin,^  on  his  throne  sees  Satan  fljing  towards  this  world,  then 
newly  created  ;  shows  him  to  the  Son  who  sat  at  his  right  hand ; 
foretells  the  success  of  Satan  in  perverting  mankind ;  clears  hifl 
own  justice  and  wisdom  from  all  imputation,  having  created  man 
free,  and  able  enough  to  have  withstood  his  tempter ;  j-et  declares 
his  purpose  of  grace  towards  him,  in  regard  he  fell  not  of  his  own 
malice,  as  did  Satan,  but  by  him  seduced.  The  Son  of  God  ren- 
ders praises  to  his  Father  for  the  manifestation  of  his  gracious 
purpose  towards  Man  ;  but  God  again  declares,  that  grace  cannot 
be  extended  towards  Man  without  the  satisfaction  of  divine  justice  ; 
Man  hath  offended  the  majesty  of  God  by  aspiring  to  Godhead,  and 
therefore  with  all  his  progeny  devoted  to  death  must  die,  unless 
some  one  can  be  found  sufficient  to  answer  for  his  offence  and 
undergo  his  punishment.  The  Son  of  God  freely  offers  himself  a 
ransom  for  Man ;  the  Father  accepts  him,  ordains  his  incarnation, 
pronounces  his  exaltation  above  all  names  in  Heaven  and  Earth  ; 
commands  all  the  angels  to  adore  him  ;  they  obey,  and  hymning 
to  their  harps  in  full  choir,  celebrate  the  Father  and  the  Son. 
Meanwhile  Satan  alights  upon  the  bare  convex  of  this  world's  out- 
ermost orb  ;  where  wandering  he  first  finds  a  place,  since  called 
the  Limbo  of  Vanity ;  what  persons  and  things  fly  up  thither ; 
thence  comes  to  the  gate  of  Ileaven,  described  ascending  by  stairs, 
and  the  waters  above  the  firmament  that  flow  about  it ;  his  pas- 
sage thence  to  the  orb  of  the  sun  ;  he  finds  there  Uriel,  the  regent 
of  that  orb  ;  but  first  changes  himself  into  the  shape  of  a  meaner 
angel,  and  pretending  a  zealous  desii-e  to  behold  the  new  creation 
and  Man  whom  God  had  placed  there  inquires  of  him  the  place  of 
his  habitation,  and  is  directed  ;  alights  first  on  Mount  Niphates. 

Hail,  holy  Light,  offspring  of  Heaven  first-born  1 

Or  of  the  eternal  coeternal  beam 

May  I  express  thee  unblamed  ?  since  God  is  light, 

1,  first-born.    See  Genesis  i.  3.      out  blame  call  thee.  —  is  light 
3.  ixpress  thee  unblamed.  with-    See  1  John  i.  6. 


Book  III._)  PARADISE  LOST.  $9 

And  never  but  in  unapproached  light 

Dwelt  from  eternity  ;  dwelt  then  in  thee,  s 

Bright  effluence  of  bright  essence  increate ! 

Or  hearest  thou  rather  pure  ethereal  stream, 
\,       Whose  fountain  who  shall  tell  ?  before  the  sun, 
\  >     Before  the  heavens  thou  Avert,  and  at  the  voice 
•■    ^     Of  God,  as  with  a  mantle,  didst  invest  lo 

V  ■■-  The  rising  world  of  waters  dark  and  deep, 

Won  from  the  void  and  formless  infinite. 

Thee  I  revisit  now  with  bolder  wing, 
^xi     Escaped  the  Stygian  pool,  though  long  detained 

In  that  obscure  sojourn,  wdiile  in  my  flight  15 

.^  ^  Through  utter  and  through  middle  darkness  borne, 
"  V  With  other  notes  than  to  the  Orphe'an  lyre, 
.^  I  sung  of  Chaos  and  eternal  Night ; 
y_   Taught  by  the  heavenly  Muse  to  venture  down 
^         Tlie  dark  descent,  and  up  to  reascend,  go 

'   -     Though  hard  and  rare;  thee  I  revisit  safe, 

And  feel  thy  sovran  vital  lamp ;  but  thou 

Revisit'st  not  these  eyes,  that  roll  in  vain 

4.  unapproached.  "  Dwelling;  in  with  his  music  not  men  culy,  but 

the  light  which  no  man  can  ap-  also  beasts,  and  even  rocks  and 

proach  unto."    1  Timothy  vi.  16.  trees.   Avhich   moved   from   their 

6.  increate  perhaps  refers  to'  places  to  follow  the  sound  of  his 
effluence.  golden  harp.    His  Ivre  was  placed 

7.  hearest  thou  rather.  This  is  among  the  constellations,  perhaps 
a  Latinism,  meaning  dost  thou  because  he  was  the  first  who  ia- 
prefer  to  be  called.  troduced  music  into  the  worahip 

10.  as    ivith    a    mantle.      See  of  the  gods. 

Psalm    ci\.   2.— invest.      Seel.  l^.  the  heavenly  Muse.  ^z^l.Q. 

208.  21.  rare,  seldom  tried. 

14.  Escaped.,   escaped  from.—  22.  sovran    (sovereign)    lamp, 

Stygian  pool.    See  I.  239.  the   sun,  whose  warmth   Milton 

16.  utter.     See  I.  72.  could  feel,  though  he  could  uot 

17.  With    other    notes,    "  with  see  its  light. 

Dotes  different  from  those  which  22-26.  His  eyesight  had  been 
were  sung  to  the  Orphean  lyre ;  long  decaying,  and  at  the  time 
for  Milton  drew  from  the  Sacred  this  poem  was  written  was  en- 
Scriptures,  and  probalily  believed  tirely  gone.  He  seems  uncertain 
himself  to  be  in  some  sort  in-  whether  the  disease  by  which  his 
spired ;  while  the  song  of  Or-  blinlness  was  occasioned  was 
pheus  and  the  Orphic  hymn  to  caused  by  "  gutta  serena,"  drop 
Night  were  only  the  products  of  serene,  ovhy  dim  suffiiswn,-pvoh 
human  imagination."  Orpheus  ably  cataract.  —  veiled,  veiled 
»vas  a  Thracian  bard,who  charmcJ  them. 


70  PARADISE  LOST,  [Book  Itt 

To  find  thy  piercing  ray,  and  find  no  dawn  ; 

So  thick  a  drop  serene  hath  quenched  their  orbs,      26 

Or  dim  suffusion  veiled.     Yet  not  the  more 

Cease  I  to  wander  where  the  Muses  haunt 

Clear  spring,  or  shady  grove,  or  sunny  hill, 

Smit  with  the  love  of  sacred  song ;  but  chief 

Thee,  Sion,  and  the  flowery  brooks  beneath  86 

That  wash  thy  hallowed  feet  and  warbling  flow, 

Nightly  I  visit ;    nor  sometimes  forget 

Those  other  two  equalled  with  me  in  fate. 

So  were  I  equalled  with  them  in  renown. 

Blind  Thamyris  and  blind  Ma3onides,  8S 

And  Tiresias  and  Phineus,  prophets  old  : 

Then  feed  on  thoughts  that  voluntary  move 

Harmonious  numbers  ;  as  the  wakeful  bird 

Sings  darkling,  and  in  shadiest  covert  hid 

Tunes  her  nocturnal  note.      Thus  with  the  year       40 

Seasons  return  ;  but  not  to  me  returns 

Day,  or  the  sweet  approach  of  even  or  morn, 

Or  sight  of  vernal  bloom,  or  summer's  rose, 

Or  flocks,  or  herds,  or  human  face  divine ; 

But  cloud  instead,  and  ever-during  dark  4b 

Surrounds  me,  from  the  cheerful  ways  of  men 

Cut  off,  and  for  the  book  of  knowledge  fair 

26.  Yet  not  the  more  cease  7,  to  a  trial  of  skill,  and  for  his  pre- 
Devertheless  I  do  not  on  this  ac-  sumption  was  by  them  deprived 
count  cease.  of  sight.     His  story  was  sung  by 

27.  to  wander^  that  is,  in  im-  Homer,  who  is  also  called  Moion- 
ngination,  recalling  poetic  scenes,  ides. 

—  the    Muses,  nine  in   number,  36.    Tiresias  was  a  blind  seer  or 

were  the  goddesses  of  song,  by  soothsayer  of  ITiebes.  —  Phineus 

whom  poets  were  inspired.    Many  was   also    blind,  and    gifted    by 

&  clear  spring  in  Greece  was  sa-  Apollo  with  prophetic  powers. — 

cred  to  the  Muses,  especially  the  This  line  begins,  like  some  other 

fountain   of  Ciustalia  on    Mount  lines  in   MRton,  with   a  foot  oi 

Parnassus,   and   that  of  Hippo-  three  syllables. 

erene   on   Mount    Helicon,   near  37.  feed,  I  feed. — voluntary,  oi 

nrhich  was  a  shady  grove,  their  themselves;  without  effort, 

peculiar  seat.     See  1. 15.  3S.  the  wakeful  bird, the  laght- 

30.  btooks,  Kedron  and  Siloa.  ingale 

See  1.10-12.  45.  dark,  dAvknesa. 

35.   Thamyris  was  a  Thracian  47.  for,  instead  of. 
bard  who  challenged  the  Muses 


Book  III.]  PAR-AD ISE  LOST.  71 

Presented  with  a  universal  blank 
Of  Nature's  works  to  me  expunged  and  rased, 
And  wisdom  at  one  entrance  quite  shut  out.  64 

So  much  the  rather  thou,  celestial  light  ! 
Shine  inward,  and  the  mind  through  all  her  powers 
Irradiate ;  there  plant  eyes,  all  mist  from  thence 
Purge  and  disperse,  that  I  may  see  and  tell 
jQf  things  invisible  to  mortal  sight.  5fi 

Now  had  the  Almighty  Father  from  above, 
From  the  pure  empyrean  where  he  sits 
High  throned  above  all  height,  bent  down  his  eye, 
His  own  works  and  their  works  at  once  to  view. 
About  him  all  the  Sanctities  of  Heaven  6U 

Stood  thick  as  stars,  and  from  his  sight  received 
Beatitude  past  utterance  ;  on  his  right 
The  radiant  image  of  his  glory  sat. 
His  only  Son :  on  Earth  he  first  beheld 
Our  two  first  parents,  yet  the  only  two  68 

Of  mankind,  in  the  happy  garden  placed, 
Reaping  immortcd  fruits  of  joy  and  love, 
Uninterrupted  joy,  unrivalled  love. 
In  blissful  solitude.     He  then  surveyed 
Hell  and  the  gulf  between,  and  Satan  there  TO 

Coasting  the  wall  of  Heaven  on  this  side  Night, 
In  the  dun  air  sublime,  and  ready  now 
To  stoop  with  wearied  wings  and  willing  feet 
On  the  bare  outside  of  this  World,  that  seemed 

76 

49.  rased,  erased  ;  effaced.  71.  on  this  side  Night,  on  this 

57.  empyrean.    See  II.  771.  side  of  Night,  the  utter  diivknees. 

69.  their.     The    antecedent    is  See  line  16. 

t{-oris,  just  before.  72.  the    dim    air,    the    middle 

60.   Sn7ictities,  holy  beings.  darkness,  where  was   a  glimmer' 

62.  Bertn7»^f,  blesaednes^s.  ing  dawn.     Sec  II.  103-f-1042. — 

03.  image.     "The    bri^rhtness  sublime.    See  II.  528. 

of  his  glory,  and  the  express  iui-  74.   World,     universe  ;      whoU 

age  of  his  person  "   Hebrews  i.  3.  system  of  created  things     See  II 

65.  yet.,  as  yet  10.51-1055. 


72  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  III 

tJncertaIn  which,  in  ocean  or  in  air. 
Him  God  beholding  from  his  prospect  high, 
Wherein  past,  present,  future  he  beholds, 
Thus  to  his  only  Sou  foreseeing  spake : 

"  Only-begotten  Son,  seest  thou  what  rage  so 

Transports  our  Adversary,  whom  no  bounds 
Prescribed,  no  bars  of  Hell,  nor  all  the  chains 
Heaped  on  him  there,  nor  yet  the  main  abyss 
Wide  interrupt,  can  hold ;  so  bent  he  seems 
On  desperate  revenge,  that  shall  redound  ?g 

Upon  his  own  rebellious  head?      And  now, 
Through  all  restraint  broke  loose,  he  wings  his  way 
Not  far  off  Heaven,  in  the  precincts  of  light, 
Directly  towards  the  new-created  world, 
And  Man  there  placed,  with  purpose  to  assay  90 

If  him  by  force  he  can  destroy,  or  worse, 
By  some  false  guile  pervert ;  and  shall  pervert ; 
For  man  will  hearken  to  his  glozing  lies, 
And  easily  transgress  the  sole  command, 
Sole  pledge  of  his  obedience  :  so  will  fall  95 

He  and  his  faithless  progeny.      Whose  fliult  ? 
Whose  but  his  own  ?     Ingrate,  he  had  of  me 
All  he  could  have :  I  made  him  just  and  right, 
Sufficient  to  have  stood,  though  free  to  faU. 
Such  I  created  all  the  ethereal  Powers  leo 

And   Spirits,  both  them  who  stood,  and    them  who 

failed ; 
Freely  they  stood  who  stood,  and  fell  who  fell. 
Not  free,  what  proof  could  they  have  given  sincere 
Of  true  allegiance,  constant  faith,  or  love, 
Where  only  Avhat  they  needs  must  do  appeared,      105 

76.  hi  ocean  or  in  air,  icncer-        98.  I  marie  hitn  jiixt  and  right 
tain  which.  See  Ecclesijv^tes  vii.  29. 

83.  main,  vast.  103.  Not  free,  if  they  had  nol 

84.  Wide  /;iirrn<;i«  (participle),     been  free. 

spread  wide  between.  105.  appeared,  would  have  ap 

88.  precincts   of  light,   regions    peared. 
bordering  on  the  realms  of  light. 


Book  III.]  PARADISE  LOST.  73 

Not  what   they  would?     What   praise    couhl    they 

receive  ? 
What  pleasure  I  from  such  obedience  paid, 
When  will  and  reason  (reason  also  is  choice), 
Useless  and  vain,  of  freedom  both  despoiled, 
Made  passive  both,  had  served  necessity,  UO 

Not  me  ?     They  therefore,  as  to  right  belonged. 
So  were  created,  nor  can  justly  accuse 
Their  Maker,  or  their  making,  or  their  flite  ; 
As  if  predestination  overruled 

Their  will,  disposed  by  absolute  decree  115 

Or  high  foreknowledge.     They  themselves  decreed 
Their  own  revolt,  not  I :  if  I  foreknew, 
Foreknowledge  had  no  influence  on  their  fliult. 
Which  had  no  less  proved  certain  unforeknown. 
So  without  least  impulse  or  shadow  of  fate,  120 

Or  aught  by  me  immutably  foreseen, 
They  trespass,  authors  to  themselves  in  all, 
Both  what  they  judge  and  what  they  choose  ;  for  so 
I  formed  them  free,  and  free  they  must  remain, 
Till  they  enthrall' themselves  ;  I  else  must  change    125 
Their  nature,  and  revoke  the  high  decree 
Unchangeable,  eternal,  which  ordained 
Their  freedom  ;  they  themselves  ordained  their  fall. 
The  first  sort  hy  their  own  suggestion  fell. 
Self-tempted,  self-depraved  :  Man  falls,  deceived    lao 
By  the  other  first ;  Man  therefore  shall  find  grace, 
The  other  none.     In  mercy  and  justice  both, 
Through  Heaven  and  Earth,  so  shall  my  glory  excel 
But  mercy  first  and  last  shall  brightest  shine." 

Thus  while  God  spake,  ambrosial  fragrance  filled 
AJl  Heaven,  and  in  the  blessed  spirits  elect  18€ 

110.  had,  would  have.  117.  if,  though. 

111.  aston^kthdoiiged,&s\fd.3,       129.    The  Jirst   sort,   the  rebel 
consistent  with  right.  angels 


74  PARADISE  L03T.  [Book III 

Sense  of  neA^  joy  ineffable  diffused. 

Beyond  compare  the  Son  of  God  was  seen 

Most  glorious ;  in  him  all  his  Father  shone 

Substantially  expressed,  and  in  his  face  140 

Divine  compassion  visibly  appeared, 

Love  without  end,  and  without  measure  grace, 

Which  uttering,  thus  he  to  his  Father  spake  ; 

"  O  Father,  gracious  was  that  word  which  closed 
Thy  sovran  sentence,  that  man  should  find  grace  ; 
For  which  both  Heaven  and  Earth  shall  high  extol 
Thy  praises,  with  the  innumerable  sound  147 

Of  hynnis  and  sacred  songs,  wherewith  thy  throne 
Encompassed  shall  resound  thee  ever  blest. 
For  should  Man  finally  be  lost,  should  Man,  150 

Thy  creature  late  so  lov'ed,  thy  youngest  son. 
Fall  circumvented  thus  by  fraud,  though  joined 
With  his  own  folly  ?  that  be  from  thee  far, 
That  far  be  from  thee.  Father,  who  art  j  udge 
Of  all  things  made,  and  judgest  only  right.  156 

Or  shall  the  Adversary  thus  obtain 
His  end,  and  frustrate  thine  ?  shall  he  fulfil 
His  malice,  and  thy  goodness  bring  to  naught ; 
Or  proud  return,  though  to  his  heavier  doom, 
Yet  with  revenge  accomplished,  and  to  Hell  leo 

Draw  after  him  the  whole  race  of  mankind. 
By  him  corrupted  ?  or  wilt  thou  thyself 
Abolish  thy  creation,  and  unmake, 
For  him,  what  for  thy  glory  thou  hast  made  ? 
So  should  thy  goodness  and  thy  greatness  both        16! 
Be  questioned  and  blasphemed  Avithout  defence  " 

To  wliom  the  great  Creator  thus  replied  : 
O  Son,  in  Avhom  my  soul  hatli  chief  delight, 

110.  See  Ileb.  i.  3,  where  MUton        149.  resound^  praise  ;  celebrate 
eads  "  iBubstauce  "  for  "  person."        153-155.    See  Geuesia  y.viii.  26 


Book  III.]  PARADISE  LOST.  75 

Son  of  my  bosom,  Son  who  art  alone 

My  word,  my  Avisdom,  and  efl'ectual  might,  170 

All  hast  thou  spoken  as  my  thoughts  are,  ail 

As  my  eternal  purpose  hath  decreed. 

Man  shall  not  quite  be  lost,  but  saved  who  will ; 

Yet  not  of  will  in  him,  but  grace  in  me 

Freely  vouchsafed  ;  once  more  I  will  renew  178 

His  lapsed  powers,  though  forfeit  and  enthralled 

By  sin  to  foul  exorbitant  desires  ; 

Upheld  by  me  yet  once  more  he  shall  stand 

On  even  ground  against  his  mortal  foe  ; 

By  me  upheld,  that  he  may  know  hoAV  frail  18C 

His  fallen  condition  is,  and  to  me  owe 

All  his  deliverance,  and  to  none  but  me. 

Some  I  have  chosen  of  peculiar  grace 

Elect  above  the  rest  —  so  is  my  will ;  — 

The  rest  shall  hear  me  call,  and  oft  be  warned        185 

Their  sinful  state,  and  to  appease  betimes 

The  incensed  Deity,  while  offered  grace 

Invites  ;  for  I  will  clear  their  senses  dark 

What  may  suffice,  and  soften  stony  hearts 

To  pray,  repent,  and  bring  obedience  due.  190 

To  prayer,  repentance,  and  obedience  due, 

Though  but  endeavored  with  sincere  intent. 

Mine  ear  shall  not  be  slow,  mine  eye  not  shut ; 

And  I  will  place  within  them  as  a  guide 

My  umpire  Conscience,  whom  if  they  will  hear,       iSfi 

Light  after  light  well  used  they  shall  attain. 

And  to  the  end  persisting  safe  arrive. 

This  my  long  sufferance  and  my  daj  cf  grace 

They  who  neglect  and  scorn  shall  never  taste ; 

176.  lapsed,  fallen  from  a  state  192.   Thougli    but    endeavored, 

of  innocence  or  pei-fectioa.  though  only  attempted. 

185.  teamed,  warned    of;    re-  lUo.  hear,  obey.    See  Luke  xvi 

minded  of.  29. 

189.  What  7vay  sufiire,  so  far  as  197.  to  the  end  persisting.  "He 

nteds  or  may  besuffuieut. — so/tfn  that  endureth  to  the  end  shall  be 

sto7it/  hearts.  See  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26  saved."    Matthew  x.  22. 


76  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IIL 

But  hard  be  hardened,  blind  be  blinded  more,         aOO 

That  they  may  stumble  on  and  deeper  fall ; 

And  none  but  such  from  mercy  I  exclude. 

But  yet  all  is  not  done  ;  Man  disobeying, 

Disloyal  breaks  his  fealty,  and  sins 

Against  the  high  supremacy  of  Heaven,  201 

Affecting  Godhead,  and  so,  losing  all. 

To  expiate  his  treason  hath  nought  left, 

But  to  destruction  sacred  and  devote 

He  with  his  whole  posterity  must  die, 

Die  he  or  Justice  must ;  unless  for  him  210 

Some  other  able,  and  as  willing,  pay 

The  rigid  satisfaction,  death  for  death. 

Say,  heavenly  Powers,  Avhere  shall  we  find  such  love  ? 

Which  of  ye  will  be  mortal  to  redeem 

Man's  mortal  crime,  and  just  the  unjust  to  save  ?    216 

Dwells  in  all  Heaven  charity  so  dear  ?  " 

He  asked,  but  all  the  heavenly  choir  stood  mute, 
And  silence  was  in  Heaven :  on  Man's  behalf 
Patron  or  intercessor  none  appeared ; 
Much  less  that  durst  upon  his  own  head  draw         22C 
The  deadly  forfeiture,  and  ransom  set. 
And  now  without  redemption  all  mankind 
Must  have  been  lost,  adjudged  to  death  and  Hell 
By  doom  severe,  had  not  the  Son  of  God, 
In  whom  the  fulness  dwells  of  love  divine,  226 

His  dearest  mediation  thus  renewed : 

"  Father,  thy  word  is  passed,  INIan  shall  find  grace 
And  shall  grace  not  find  means,  that  finds  her  way. 
The  speediest  of  thy  winged  messengers, 
To  visit  all  thy  creatures,  and  to  all  23J 

206.  Affecting,  aiming  at ;  as-  218.  silence.      "  There  was    si 

piling  to.     See  Gen.  iii.  5.  lence  in  Heaven  "     Rev.  viii.  1. 

208.  snrreff,      dedicated.  —  de-  22b.  fuhiess.     "  In  hijn  dwell- 

vote,  devoted.  eth  all  the  fulness  of  the  Godh3a«J 

216.  just.     "  The  just  for  the  bolily        Coiossiaus  ii.  9. 
unjust."    1  Peter  iii.  18. 


BooKni.]  PARADISE  LOST.  77 

Ccmes  unprevented,  unimplored,  unsought  ? 

Happy  for  INIan,  so  comino- !  he  her  aid 

Can  never  seek,  once  dead  in  sins  and  lost ; 

Atonement  for  himself  or  offering  meet, 

Indebted  and  undone,  hath  none  to  bring.  asa 

Behold  me  then ;  me  for  him,  life  for  life 

I  offer ;  on  me  let  thine  anger  fall ; 

Account  me  Man :  I  for  his  sake  will  leave 

Thy  bosom,  and  this  glory  next  to  thee 

Freely  put  off,  and  for  him  lastly  die  210 

Well  pleased ;  on  me  let  Death  wreak  all  his  rage. 

Under  his  gloomy  power  I  shall  not  long 

Lie  vanquished  ;  thou  hast  given  me  to  possess 

Life  in  myself  forever ;  by  thee  I  live, 

Though  now  to  Death  I  yield,  and  am  his  due,       245 

All  that  of  me  can  die  ;  yet  that  debt  paid. 

Thou  wilt  not  leave  me  in  the  loathsome  grave 

His  prey,  nor  suffer  my  unspotted  soul 

Forever  with  corruption  there  to  dwell ; 

But  I  shall  rise  victorious,  and  subdue  250 

My  vanquisher,  spoiled  of  his  vaunted  spoil  ; 

Death  his  death's  wound  shall  then  receive,  and  stoop 

Inglorious,  of  his  mortal  sting  disarmed. 

I  through  the  ample  air  in  triumph  high 

Shall  lead  Hell  captive  maugre  Hell,  and  show      255 

The  powers  of  darkness  bound.      Thou,  at  the  sight 

Pleased,  out  of  Heaven  shalt  look  down  and  smile, 

While  by  thee  raised  I  ruin  all  my  foes, 

Death  last,  and  with  his  carcass  glut  the  grave  : 

Then  with  the  multitude  of  my  redeemed  26C 

231.  unprevented,  without  pre-  247-249.  See  Psalm  xtI.  10. 

rious  supplication  or  entreaty,  as  2bb.  captive.      "He    led    cap- 

a  free  gift.  tiyity   captire."     Ephes.    iy.   8. 

QS&.  dead  in  sins.    See  Ephe-  See  also  Psalm  Ixviii.  IS.  —  »ja«- 

sians,  ii.  1,  5.  gr?,  notwithstanding  ;  in  spite  of. 

244.  Life  in  myself.     "  For  as  258.  /•?//«,  overthrow, 

the  Father  hath  life  in  himself,  so  259.  Death    last.      "  The    last 

hath  he  given  to  the  Son  to  have  enemy  that  shall  be  destroyed  is 

life  in  himself  "    John  v.  26.  death."    1  Corinthians  xv.  26. 


yg  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  111 

Shall  enter  Heaven,  long  absent,  and  return, 
Father,  to  see  thy  face,  wherein  no  cloud 
Of  anger  shall  remain,  but  peace  assured 
And  reconcilement ;  wrath  shall  be  no  more 
Thenceforth,  but  in  thy  presence  joy  entire."  265 

His  words  here  ended,  but  his  meek  aspect 
Silent  yet  spake,  and  breathed  immortal  love 
To  mortal  men,  above  v/hicli  only  shone 
Filial  obedience  :  as  a  sacrifice 

Glad  to  be  offered,  he  attends  the  will  270 

Of  his  great  Father.     Admiration  seized 
All  Heaven,  what  this  might  mean  and  whither  tend 
Wondering ;  but  soon  the  Almighty  thus  replied  t 

"  O  thou  in  Heaven  and  Earth  the  only  peace 
Found  out  for  mankind  under  wrath !      O  thou       275 
My  sole  complacence !  well  thou  know'st  how  dear 
To  me  are  all  my  works,  nor  ]\Ian  the  least. 
Though  last  created,  that  for  him  I  spare 
Thee  from  my  bosom  and  right  hand,  to  save, 
By  losing  theej(ftwhile,  the  whole  race  lost.  28C 

Thou,  therefore,' whom  thou  only  canst  redeem 
Their  nature  also  to  thy  nature  join. 
And  be  thyself  man  among  men  on  earth, 
Made  flesh,  when  time  shall  be,  of  virgin  seed, 
By  wondrous  birth  ;  be  thou  in  Adam's  room  288 

The  head  of  all  mankind,  though  Adam's  son. 
As  in  him  perish  all  men,  so  in  thee. 
As  from  a  second  root,  shall  be  restored 

265.  3oy  entire.    "  In  thy  pres-  pleasure  or  joy.    See  Matthew  iiL 

ence  is  fulness  of  joy."    Psalm  17. 

xvi.  11.  282.   Their  (of  tho.se)  contains 

270.  attends^  waits  ;    waits   to  the  antecedent  of  whom  in   the 
know.  preceding  line. 

271.  Admiration,  surprise  and        287-289.     "  For  as  in  Adam  all 
wonder.  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be 

276.   complacence^     cause     of    made  alive."    See  1  Cor.  xv.  22. 


«ooK  III.]  PARADISE  LOST.  79 

As  many  as  are  restored,  without  thee  none. 

His  crime  makes  guilty  all  his  sons  ;  thy  merit        SM 

Imputed  shall  absolve  them  who  renounce 

Their  own  both  righteous  and  unrighteous  deeds, 

And  live  in  thee  tran>planted,  and  from  thee 

Receive  new  life.      So  Man,  as  is  most  just, 

Shall  satisfy  for  JNIan,  be  judged  and  die,  391 

And  dying  rise,  and  rising  with  him  raise 

His  brethren  ransomed  with  his  own  dear  life. 

So  heavenly  love  shall  outdo  hellish  hate, 

Giving  to  death,  and  dying  to  redeem, 

So  dearly  to  redeem  what  hellish  hate  80O 

So  easily  destroyed,  and  still  destroys 

In  those  who,  when  they  may,  accept  not  grace. 

Nor  shalt  thou  by  descending  to  assume 

Man's  nature  lessen  or  degrade  thine  own. 

Because  thou  hast,  though  throned  in  highest  bliss,  306 

Equal  to  God  and  equally  enjoying 

Godlike  fruition,  quitted  all  to  save 

A  world  from  utter  loss,  and  hast  been  found 

By  merit  more  than  birthright  Son  of  God, 

Found  worthiest  to  be  so  by  being  ojood,  810 

Far  more  than  great  or  high  ;  becaiBe  in  thee 

Love  hath  abounded  more  than  glory  abounds  ; 

Therefore  thy  humiliation  shall  exalt 

With  thee  thy  manhood  also  to  this  throne : 

Here  shalt  thou  sit  incarnate,  here  shalt  reign         S15 

Both  God  and  Man,  Son  both  of  God  and  Man, 

Anointed  universal  King  :  all  power 

I  give  thee ;  reign  forever,  and  assume 

Thy  merits ;  under  thee,  as  head  supreme, 

Thrones,  Princedoms,  Powers,  Dominions,  I  reduce  ; 

A.11  knees  to  thee  shall  bow,  of  them  that  bide         821 

305.  Look  forward  to  line  313.  317.  All  poioer.    See  Matthew* 

307.  fruition^    happiness    de-  xxviii.  18. 

rived  from  use  or  possession.  321.  All  knees  to  thee  shall  bow 

515.  Here  shalt  thou  sit.    See  See  PhiUppians  ii.  9-11. 
Ephes.  1.  20,  21. 


80  PARADISE  LOST  [Book  ID 

fn  Heaven,  or  Earth,  or  under  Earth  in  Hell. 

When  thou,  attended  gloriously  from  Heaven, 

Shalt  in  the  sky  appear,  and  from  thee  send 

The  summoning  Archangels  to  proclaim  825 

Thy  dread  tribunal,  forthwith  from  all  winds 

The  living,  and  forthwith  the  cited  dead 

Of  all  past  ages,  to  the  general  doom 

Shall  hasten,  such  a  peal  shall  rouse  their  sleep. 

Then,  all  thy  saints  assembled,  thou  shalt  judge      330 

Bad  men  and  angels  ;  they  arraigned  shall  sink 

Beneath  thy  sentence ;  Hell,  her  numbers  full, 

Thenceforth  shall  be  forever  shut.     Meanwhile 

The  World  shall  burn,  and  from  her  ashes  spring 

New  heaven  and  earth,  wherein  the  just  shall  dwell, 

And  after  all  their  tribulations  long  336 

See  golden  days,  fruitful  of  golden  deeds. 

With  joy  and  love  triumphing,  and  fair  truth. 

Then  thou  thy  regal  sceptre  shalt  lay  by, 

For  regal  sceptre  then  no  more  shall  need ;  340 

God  shall  be  all  in  all.     But  all  ye  gods. 

Adore  him,  who  to  compass  all  this  dies  ; 

Adore  the  Son  and  honor  him  as  me !  " 

No  sooner  had  the  Almighty  ceased,  but  all 
The  multitude  of  angels,  Avith  a  shout  dis 

Loud  as  from  numbers  without  number,  sweet 
As  from  blest  voices,  uttering  joy,  Heaven  rung 
With  jubilee,  and  loud  hosannas  filled 
The  eternal  regions.      Lowly  reverent 

328-329.  See  1  Thess.  iv.  16, 17  ;  also  shall  the  Son  himself  be  sub- 
Matt,  xxiv.  31  ;  1  Cor.  xv.  28.  ject  unto  him  that  put  all  thing* 

327.  cited,   summoned.     "  The  under  him,  that  God  may  be  all 

hour  is  coming,  in  the  which  all  in  all."    1  Cor.  xv.  28. 

that  are  in  the  graves  shall  hear  343.  hoixor.      "  That   all    men 

his  voice."    John  v.  28.  should  honor  the   Son.  even  as 

334,335.    See  2  Peter  iii.  10-13;  they  honor  the  Fathei    '    John 

Revelation  xxi.  1.  v.  23. 

340.  need,  be  necessary.  345.  muWtude     is     construed 

341.  "And   when    all    things    with  uttering,  in  the  case  ind« 
shall  be  subdued  unto  him,  then    pendent. 


Book  III.]  PARADISE  LOST.  81 

Towards  either  throne  they  bow,  and  to  the  ground 

With  solemn  adoration  down  they  cast  jJSl 

Their  crowns,  inwove  with  amarant  and  gold ; 

Immortal  amarant !  a  flower  which  once 

In  Paradise,  fast  by  the  Tree  of  Life, 

Began  to  bloom ;  but  soon  for  Man's  ofience  335 

To  Heaven  removed  where  fii'st  it  grew,  there  grows 

And  flowers  aloft,  shading  the  fount  of  life  ; 

And    where    the    river    of    bliss    through    midst    of 

Heaven 
Rolls  o'er  Elysian  flowers  her  amber  stream  : 
With  these  tli^t  never  fide  the  spirits  elect  360 

Bind  their  resplendent  locks,  inwreathed  Avith  beams ; 
NoAv  in  loose  garlands  thick  thrown  off,  the  bright 
Pavement,  that  like  a  sea  of  jasper  shone, 
Impurpled  with  celestial  roses  smiled. 
Then,  crowned  again,  their  golden  harps  they  took, 
Harps  ever  tuned,  that  glittering  by  their  side        366 
Like  quivers  hung,  and  Avith  preamble  sweet 
Of  charming  symphony  they  introduce 
Their  sacred  song,  and  Avaken  raptures  high  ; 
No  voice  exempt,  no  voice  but  Avell  could  join  370 

Melodious  part,  such  concord  is  In  Heaven. 

Thee,  Father,  firet  they  sung,  omnipotent, 
Immutable,  immortal,  infinite, 
Eternal  King ;  thee,  author  of  all  being, 
Fountain  of  light,  thyself  invisible  375 

Amidst  the  glorious  brightness  Avhere  thou  sitt'st 
Throned  inaccessible,  but  Avhen  thou  shad'sfc 
The  full  blaze  of  thy  beams,  and,  through  a  cloud 

352.   Their  crowns.  See  Rev.  iv.  fields  or  gardens,  in  the  Greek 

10.  —  amarant.,  from  the  Greek  mythologv,   were  the    abode  of 

"  amarantos,"  amarantli.  happy  spirits  after  death. 

354. /a<f6//.     See  I.  12.  3>3.  s.'jone.     "  And  be  fore  the 

358.  the  river  of  bliss.   See  Rev.  throne  there  was  a  sea  of  glass 

^^i-l-  like  unto  crystal."    Rev.ivG 

3o9.  Elysian.    The  Elysian  377.  but,  except 
6 


B2  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  HI. 

Drawn  round  about  thee  like  a  radiant  shrine, 
Dark  with  excessrve  bright  thy  skirts  appear,  380 

Yet  dazzle  Heaven,  that  brightest  Sera})him 
Approach  not,  but  with  both  Avlngs  veil  their  eyes. 
Thee  next  they  sang  of  all  creation  first, 
Begotten   Son,  divine  similitude, 

In  whose  conspicuous  countenance,  without  cloud    385 
Made  visible,  the  almighty  Father  shines, 
\Vhom  else  no  creature  can  behold ;  on  thee 
Impressed  the  effulgence  of  his  glory  abides ; 
Transfused  on  thee  his  ample  Spirit  rests. 
He  Heaven  of  heavens  and  all  the  powers  therein   390 
By  thee  created,  and  by  thee  threw  down 
The  aspiring  Dominations.     Thou  that  day 
Thy  Father's  dreadful  thunder  didst  not  spare, 
Nor  stop  the  flaming  chariot-wheels  that  shook 
Heaven's  everlasting  frame,  while  o'er  the  necks      395 
Thou  drov'st  of  warring  angels  disarrayed. 
Back  from  pursuit  thy  powers  with  loud  acclaim 
Thee  only  extolled,  Son  of  thy  Father's  might, 
To  execute  fierce  vengeance  on  his  foes  : 
Not  so  on  INIan  ;  him  through  their  malice  fallen,    400 
Father  of  mercy  and  grace,  thou  didst  not  doom 
So  strictly,  but  much  more  to  pity  incline. 
No  sooner  did  thy  dear  and  only  Son 
Perceive  thee  purposed  not  to  doom  frail  man 
So  strictly,  but  much  more  to  pity  inclined,  406 

,  He,  to  appease  thy  wrath  and  end  the  strife 
Of  mercy  and  justice  in  thy  face  discerned, 
Regardless  of  the  bliss  wherein  he  sat 


880.  h-ight,  'brightness.  of  the  Father,  he  hath  declared 

882.  veil  their  eyes.    See  Isaiah  him."    .John  i.  18. 

i1.2.  391.  By  thee.   See  Coloss.  i.  16 

383,  384.     See  Colossians  i.  15.  396.  disarrayed^  thi-o^vn  out  of 

387.  else^  iu   no  other  way.  —  their  ranks. 

can  behold.     "  No  man  hath  seen  402.  incline,  didst  incline. 

God  at  any  time  ;    the  ouly-be-  406.  -He,  than  he. 
jotten  Son,  which  is  in  the  bosom 


Book  III.]  PARADISE  LOST.  gfl 

Second  to  thee,  offered  himself  to  die 

For  Man's  offence.      O  unexampled  love,  ilO 

Love  nowhere  to  be  found  less  than  divine ! 

Hail,  Son  of  God,  Saviour  of  men  !  thy  name 

Shall  be  the  copious  matter  of  my  song 

Henceforth,  and  never  shall  my  harp  thy  praise 

Forget,  nor  from  thy  Father's  praise  disjoin.  m, 

Thus  they  in  Heaven,  above  the  starry  sphere, 
ITieir  happy  hours  in  joy  and  hymning  spent. 
Meanwhile  upon  the  firm  opacous  globe 
Of  this  round  World,  whose  first  convex  divides 
The  luminous  inferior  orbs   enclosed  420 

From  Chaos  and  the  inroad  of  darkness  old, 
Satan  alighted  walks.     A  globe  far  off 
It  seemed,  now  seems  a  boundless  continent. 
Dark,  waste,  and  Avild,  under  the  frown  of  night 
Starless  exposed,  and  ever-threatening  storms  425 

Of  Chaos  blustering  round,  inclement  sky  ; 
Save  on  that  side  fi-om  which  the  wall  of  Heaven, 
Though  distant  far,  some  small  reflection  gains 
Of  glimmering  air,  less  vexed  with  tempest  loud  : 
Here  walked  the  Fiend  at  large  in  spacious  field.    430 
As  when  a  vulture  on  Imaiis  bred, 
Whose  snowy  ridge  the  roving  Tartar  bounds. 
Dislodging  from  a  region  scarce  of  prey 
To  gorge  the  flesh  of  lambs  or  yeanling  kids 
On  hills  where  flocks  are  fed,  flies  toward  the  springs 
Of  Ganges  or  Hydaspes,  Indian  streams  ;  433 

But  in  his  way  lights  on  the  barren  plaii.3 


413.  matter,  euhject.  the  ancient  astronomy,   was  in 

41o.  rf'5;oj/i,  disjoin  thy  praise,  the  centre  of  this  sphere.  —  cfi- 

ttt'^ -X  ^'^^  ^^'     103-t-1055,    and  vides,  sets  apart ;  separates  from 

111.  rO-(6.  Chaos. 

419.   World.    See  line  74,  and  431.  Imaus,  a  range  of  moun- 

note.  —  first    convex,   outermost  tains  on  the  north  of  India. 

sphere,    enclosing;    the     inferior  436.  Hydaspes,  s.hvvinch  of  fh* 

orbs.     The    Earth,  according  to  Indus. 


B4  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  III 

Of  Serlcana,  where  Chineses  drive 

With  sails  of  wind  their  cany  wagons  light : 

So  on  this  windy  sea  of  Land  the  Fiend  440 

Walked  up  and  down  alone,  bent  on  his  prey ; 

Alone,  for  other  creature  in  this  place. 

Living  or  lifeless,  to  be  found  was  none ; 

None  yet,  but  store  hereafter  from  the  earth 

Up  hither  like  aerial  vapors  flew  445 

Of  all  things  transitory  and  vain,  when  sin 

With  vanity  had  filled  the  works  of  men  ; 

Both  all  things  vain,  and  all  who  in  vain  things 

Built  their  fond  hopes  of  glory  or  lasting  fame, 

Or  happiness  in  this  or  the  other  life  :  450 

All  who  have  their  reward  on  earth,  the  fruits 

Of  painful  superstition  and  blind  zeal, 

Nought  seeking  but  the  praise  of  men,  here  find 

Fit-retribution,  empty  as  their  deeds. 

All  the  unaccomplished  works  of  Nature's  hand,      455 

Abortive,  monstrous,  or  unkindly  mixed, 

Dissolved  on  earth,  fleet  hither,  and  in  vain, 

Till  final  dissolution,  wander  here, 

Not  in  the  neighboring  moon,  as  some  have  dreamed ; 

Those  argent  fields  more  likely  habitants  46C 

Translated  saints,  or  middle  spirits  hold 

Betwixt  the  angelical  and  human  kind. 

Hither  of  ill-joined  sons  and  daughters  born 

First  from  the  ancient  world  those  giants  came, 

With  many  a  vain  exploit,  though  then  renowned : 

438.  Sericana,     or    Serica,     a  bright)  ,^eW5  more  probably  bold 

name    ancieutly   applied   to   the  as   their   inhabitants    translated 

regions  of  Central  and  Eastern  saints,  or  spirits  middle  between 

Asia,   in  which   are   vast  sandy  the  angelic  and  the  human  kind, 

plains.     Over  these,  the  inhabi-  —     Translated^     removed    from 

tants  are  said  to  drive  light  car-  earth, 

riages  furnished  with  sails.  4G3.  ill-joined.    See  Genesis  vi. 

444.  store^  abundance.  1,  2. 

456.  unkindly^  not    according  464.  those  giants.  "  There  were 

to  their  kind.  giants  in  the  earth  in  those  days.'- 

46l  4P2.     Those  argent  (silvery  Gen.  vi.  4. 


Book  III] 


PARADISE  LOST. 


85 


The  builders  next  of  Babel  on  the  plain 
Of  Sennaar,  and  still  with  vain  design 
New  Babels,  had  they  wherewithal,  would  build : 
Others  came  single  ;  he  Avho,  to  be  deemed 
A  god,  leaped  fondly  into  ^tna  flames, 
Empedocles ;  and  he  who,  to  enjoy 
Plato's  Elysium,  leaped  into  the  sea, 
Cledmbrotus  ;  and  many  more  too  long, 
Embryos  and  idiots,  eremites  and  friars. 
White,  black,  and  gray,  with  all  their  trumpery. 
Here  pilgrims  roam,  that  strayed  so  far  to  seek 
In  Golgotha  him  dead  avIio  lives  in  Heaven ; 
And  they  who,  to  be  sure  of  Paradise, 
Dying  put  on  the  weeds  of  Dominic, 
Or  in  Franciscan  think  to  pass  disguised  : 
They  pass  the  planets  seven,  and  pass  the  fixed, 


470 


476 


480 


466.  Bahel.  See  Genesis  xi. 
1-9. 

467.  Sennaar  J  Shinar,  the  plain 
of  Babylon. 

468.  ha'l  they  whereivithal,  if 
they  had  the  materials. 

471.  Empedocles  was  a  cele- 
brated philosopher  of  Sicily,  who 
lived  in  the  fifth  century  befoi-e 
Christ.  Tradition  related  that 
he  leaped  fo7iiJly  (foolishly)  into 
jEtna  flames,  that  he  might,  in 
consequence  of  his  sudden  disap- 
pearance, be  deemed  a  god.  One 
of  his  sandals,  however,  was 
throflm  out  by  the  volcano,  and 
the  manner  of  his  death  thus 
made  known.  —  hf.  Cleombro- 
tus,  a  Grecian  youth,  is  said  to 
have  destroyed  himself  by  leap- 
Vug  into  the  sea,  after  reading 
Plato's  description  of  the  liap{)i- 
ness  of  a  future  state,  that  he 
Might  at  once  enjoy  it. 

473.  ton  long,  of  whom  it  would 
be  too  long  to  tell. 

474.  eremites,  hermits. 

47-5  The  different  orders  of 
friars  in  the  Roman  church  are 
iistinguished  by  their  drese,  the 


Carmelites  or  White-friars  wear- 
ing a  white  robe,  the  Domin- 
icans or  Black-friars  a  black 
robe,  and  the  Franciscans  or 
Gray-fi-iars  a  gray  or  hght- 
brown    robe. 

476.  pilgrims,  to  Jerusalem 
and  the  Holy  Sepulchre. 

477.  Golgotha.  See  Matthew 
xxvii.  33. 

478.  to  be  sure  of  Paradise.  It 
was  once  a  superstition  of  some 
members  of  the  church  of  Rome, 
that  to  be  clothed  at  the  time 
of  death  in  a  friar's  habit  or 
weeds,  insured  an  entrance  into 
heaven. 

481-483.  This  is  according  to 
the  notions  of  the  ancient,  or 
Ptolemaic,  .system  of  astronomy. 
From  the  Earth,  the  centre  of 
the  Universe,  they  pass  the  jdnnets 
seven,  our  planetary  or  solar  sys- 
tem, and  beyond  this  jjass  the 
Ji.red,  the  firmament  or  sphere 
of  the  fixed  stars,  and  still  be- 
yond, that  crystalline  splicre,  th« 
heaven  clear  as  crystal,  to  which 
the  Ptolemaics  attributed  a  sort 
of  Ubration  or  shaking  ( the  trepir 


B6  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  III 

And  that  crystalline  sphere  whose  balance  weighs 

The  trepidation  talked,  and  that  first-moved  ; 

And  now  Saint  Peter  at  Heaven's  wicket  seems 

To  wait  them  with  his  keys,  and  now  at  foot  485 

Of  Heaven's  ascent  they  lift  their  feet,  when  lo  I 

A  violent  cross-wind  from  either  coast 

Blows  them  transverse,  ten  thousand  leagues  awry 

Into  the  devious  air  :  then  might  ye  see 

Cowls,  hoods,  and  habits,  Avith  their  ^vearers,  tost    490 

And  fluttered  into  rags  ;  then  relics,  beads, 

Indulgences,  dispenses,  pardons,  bulls. 

The  sport  of  winds  :  all  these,  up-whirled  alofl, 

Fly  o'er  the  backside  of  the  world  f:ir  off 

Into  a  Limbo  large  and  broad,  since  called  495 

The  Paradise  of  Fools,  to  few  unknown 

Long  after,  now  unpeopled  and  untrod. 

All  this  dark  globe  the  Fiend  found  as  he  passed, 

And  long  he  wandered,  till  at  last  a  gleam 

Of  dawning  light  turned  thitherward  in  haste  500 

His  travelled  steps  :  far  distant  he  descries, 

Ascending  by  degrees  magnificent 

Up  to  the  wall  of  Heaven,  a  structure  high. 

At  top  whereof,  but  far  more  inch,  appeared 

The  work  as  of  a  kingly  palace-gate,  505 


dation  so  much  talked  of)  to  ac-  4S9.  devious^  out  of  their  track 

count  for  certain  irres^ularities  ia  or  road. 

the  motions  of  the  heavenly  bodies,  492.  In  the  Roman  church,  m- 

jtnd    farthest    tliai  first -viot-ed,  dulgences  iiva   remissions   of  tha 

the  Primum  Mobile,  the  sphere  penalties  of  sin,  granted  b.y  the 

which  was  both  the  first  moved  Pope.  —  dispenses^   oi    dispeusa- 

tiud  the  first  mover,  communicat-  tions,  are  permissions  to  dispense 

Ing  its  motion  to  all  the  lower  or  with  certain  rules  of  the  church. 

Interior  spheres.   The  Crystalline  He  also   grants  pardons  for  sins 

Is  described  either  as  external  to  committed.  Certain  letters  which 

the  Primum  Mobile,  or  as  com-  contain  his  decrees  or  decisions 

bined  with  it.  are  called  hulls. 

484,  485.  Milton  alludes    here  495.  L/wta,  abordeinng  region 

to  the   notion    that   Saint   Peter  or  place  of  confinement, 

literally  holds  the  keys  of  Heaven  500.  thitherward,  to  itself. 

md  keeps  the  gate.  502.  degrees.,  stairs.  See  linei!ilC 


BooKlIT.j  PARADISE  LOST.  87 

With  frontispiece  of  diamond  and  gold 

Embellished  ;  thick  with  sparkling  orient  gems 

The  portal  shone,  inimitable  on  earth 

By  model,  or  by  shading  pencil  drawn. 

The  stairs  were  such  as  whereon  Jacob  saw  bic 

Angels  ascending  and  descending,  bands 

Of  guardians  bright,  when  he  from  Esau  fled 

To  Padan-arani,  in  the  field  of  Luz 

Dreaming  by  night  under  the  open  sky, 

And  waking  cried,  This  is  the  gate  of  Heaven.  515 

Each  stair  mysteriously  was  meant,  nor  stood 

There  always,  but  drawn  up  to  Heaven  sometimes 

Viewless  ;  and  underneath  a  bright  sea  flowed 

Of  jasper,  or  of  liquid  pearl,  whereon 

Who  after  came  from  Earth  sailing  arrived  52u 

Wafted  by  angels,  or  flew  o'er  the  lake 

Rapt  in  a  chariot  drawn  by  fiery  steeds. 

The  staii-s  were  then  let  down,  whether  to  dare 

The  Fiend  by  easy  ascent,  or  aggravate 

His  sad  exclusion  from  the  doors  of  bliss  ;  526 

Direct  against  which  opened  from  beneath, 

Just  o'er  the  blissful  seat  of  Paradise, 

A  passage  down  to  the  Earth,  a  passage  wide, 

Wider  by  far  than  that  of  after-times 

Over  mount  Sion,  and,  though  that  were  large,        530 

Over  the  Promised  Land  to  God  so  dear. 

By  which,  to  visit  oft  those  happy  tribes, 

On  high  behests  his  angels  to  and  fro 

Passed  frequent,  and  his  eye  with  choice  regard 

From  Paneas,  the  fount  of  Jordan's  flood,  535 

&0Q.  frontispiece,  the  face  of  a  bll.  fiery  steeds.    See  2  Kings 

building.  ii.  11. 

509.  By  moflel,  9r  by  shading  530.  and,  and  wider  than  that. 

pencil  drawn,  by  sculpture  or  by  531    with  choice  recant,  i)a.ssed 

painting.  with  choice  regard,  with  special 

510-515.  See  Gen.  xxviii.  favor. 

518.    Viewless,    -was    viewless  ;  535.  Pnnens,  Dan.     This  Avas  a 

beyond  the  sight.  town  in  the  northernmost  part  of 

520.   IKAo,  whoever  Palestine  or  the  lloly  Land,  near 


88  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  III 

To  Beersaba,  where  the  Holy  Land 

Bordei-s  on  Egypt  and  the  Arabian  shore ; 

So  wide  the  opening  seemed,  where  bounds  were  set 

To  darkness,  such  as  bound  the  ocean  wave. 

Satan  from  hence,  now  on  the  lower  stair,,  540 

That  scaled  by  steps  of  gold  to  Heaven  gate, 
Looks  down  with  wonder  at  the  sudden  view 
Of  all  this  World  at  once.      As  when  a  scout. 
Through  dark  and  desert  ways  with  peril  gone 
All  night,  at  last  by  break  of  cheerful  dawn  64S 

Obtains  the  brow  of  some  high-climbing  hill, 
Which  to  his  eye  discovers  unaware 
The  goodly  prospect  of  some  foreign  land 
First  seen,  or  some  renowned  metropolis 
With  glistering  spires  and  pinnacles  adorned,  556 

Which  now  the  rising  sun  gilds  with  his  beams;  — 
Such  wonder  seized,  though  after  Heaven  seen, 
The  spirit  malign,  but  much  more  envy  seized 
At  sight  of  all  this  World  beheld  so  fair. 
Round  he  surveys  (and  well  might,  Avhere  he  stood   555 
So  high  above  the  circling  canopy 
Of  night's  extended  shade)  from  eastern  point 
Of  Libra  to  the  fleecy  star  that  bears 
Andromeda  for  off  Atlantic  seas, 

Beyond  the  horizon  ;  then  from  pole  to  pole  660 

He  views  in  breadth,  and  without  longer  pause 
Down  right  into  the  World's  first  region  throws 
His  flight  precipitant,  and  winds  with  easo 
Through  the  pure  marble  air  his  oblicjue  way 

Ihe  sources  of  the  Jordan.    Beer-  the  fieecy  star.    As  seen  from  ttie 

iheba,  or  Beersaba,  was  on  the  Earth,  the  constellation  An'i^oni' 

southern     border,     or     Arnhian  eda    appears    above    Aries,    and 

^hore.    "  From  Dan  even  to  Beer-  being  to  the  west  of  it    may  be 

Bheba"  (1  Kings  iv.  25)  described  said  by  a  European  to  be  borue 

the  length  of  the  land.  far  off  Atlantic  seas. 

546.    Obtains,  reaches.  563.  precipitant,  headlong. 

557-560.  R-om  farthest  east  to  564.  inarhle,  niurhle-hke  ia  lt# 

west :  that  is,  through  si.>i  signs  clearness  and  brightness, 
of  the  Zodiac,  from  Libra  to  Aries, 


Book  III.]  PARADISE  LOST.  89 

Amongst  innumerable  stars,  that  shone  66S 

Stai-s  distant,  but  nigh  hand  seemed  other  worlds  ; 

Or  other  worlds  they  seemed,  or  happy  isles, 

Like  those  Hesperian  gardens  famed  of  old, 

Fortunate  fields,  and  groves,  and  flowery  vales. 

Thrice  happy  isles  ;  but  who  dwelt  happy  there      oto 

He  stayed  not  to  inquire.      Above  them  all 

The  golden  sun,  in  splendor  likest  Heaven, 

Allured  his  eye  ;  thither  his  course  he  bends 

Through  the  calm  firmament  —  but  up  or  down, 

By  centre  or  eccentric,  hard  to  tell,  675 

Or  longitude  —  where  the  great  luminary. 

Aloof  the  vulgar  constellations  thick 

That  from  his  lordly  eye  keep  distance  due, 

Dispenses  light  from  far  :  they,  as  they  move 

Their  starry  dance  in  numbers  that  compute  580 

Days,  months,  and  years,  toward  his  all-cheering  lamp 

Turn  swift  their  various  motions,  or  are  turned 

By  his  magnetic  beam,  that  gently  warms 

The  Universe,  and  to  each  inward  part 

With  gentle  penetration,  though  unseen,  58£ 

Shoots  invisible  virtue  even  to  the  deep  ; 

So  wondrously  was  set  his  station  bright. 

There  lands  the  Fiend,  a  spot  like  which  perhaps 
Astronomer  in  the  sun's  lucent  orb 
Through  his  glazed  optic  tube  yet  never  saw.  690 

bQQ.  Stars  fl  I  slant,  &sstR.TSV!\iexi  575.     By    centre    or    eccentric, 

distant.  —  ?? /^/i  AaHt/,  when  near,  whether    towards    or    from    the 

567.  Or,  either.  centre. — hard,  it  would  be  hard. 

568.  Hfsperinn  gardens.      The  576.   Or  longitude,  or  whether 
beautiful  gardens  of  the  Ilesper-  east  or  west. 

idey,  or  mm  phs  who  guarded  the  577.  J 'oof,  aloof  from.  —  vuU 

golden    apples   of  Juno   (Iljra),  gar,  common. 

were  situated  far  to  the  west,  as  580.  nitmhers,  measures. 

were  also  tlie  Fortunnti-  fif.lds.  ov  583.  magnetic,  ntt\-vi.ctiYe, 

Islands  of  the  Ulessed.  in  which  586.  virtue,  power. 

were  the  Elysian  Fields.  590    glazed  optic  tube.     See  I 

674.  vp  or  down,  whether  north  288. 
or  south. 


aO  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  III 

The  place  lie  found  beyond  expression  bright, 

Compared  with  aught  on  earth,  metal  or  stone ; 

Not  all  parts  like,  but  all  alike  informed 

Witlr radiant  light,  as  glowing  iron  with  fire ; 

If  metal,  part  seemed  gold,  part  silver  clear ;  69S 

If  stone,  carbuncle  most  or  chrysolite, 

Ruby  or  topaz,  to  tlie  twelve  that  shone 

In  Aaron's  breastplate,  and  a  stone  besides 

Imagined  rather  oft  than  elsewhere  seen. 

That  stone,  or  like  to  that,  wliich  here  below  600 

Philosophers  in  vain  so  long  have  sought ; 

In  vain,  though  by  their  powerful  art  they  bind 

Volatile  Hermes,  and  call  up  unbound 

In  various  shapes  old  Proteus  from  the  sea, 

Drained  through  a  limbec  to  his  native  form.  605 

What  wonder  then  if  fields  and  regions  here 

Breathe  forth  elixir  pure,  and  rivers  run 

Potable  gold,  when  with  one  virtuous  touch 

The  arch-chemic  sun,  so  far  from  us  remote, 

Produces,  with  terrestrial  humor  mixed,  610 

Here  in  the  dark  so  many  precious  things 


593.  7?i/br??ie<i,  penetrated  ;  ani-  604.  Proteus    was    a    sea-god, 

mated.  who  when  seized  assumed  various 

597.  to,  up  to ;  completing  the  shapes,  but  finally  resumed  his 
number  of.  usual  form.  Matter,  being  worked 

598.  Aaron's  breastplate.     See  upon  by  chemists  and  made  to 
Exodus  xxviii.  15-21.  appear  in   different  forms,  is  at 

600.    That  stone.     It  was  long  last,    beiag    drained    through    a 

supposed    that   there   existed    a  litnbec,  forced  to  take  its  original 

gto'ne,  the  touch  of  which  would  shape.     It  may  be  that  the  puri- 

turn  any  other  substance  to  gold,  fying  of  water  by  distillation  is 

I'rom    having    been    sought    by  all  that  is  here  referred  to. 

philosophers,    it   was  called   the  605.  limbec,  or  alembic,  a  vrs. 

Philosopher's  Stone.  sel  used  by  chemists  in  distilla- 

603.  From  //*-r»?^5,  or  Mercury,  tion. 

thomes.=enger  of  the  gods,  a  planet  606.  AfJ-p,  in  the  Sun. 

and  a  metal  have  the  name  of  Mer-  607.  elixir,  a  liquid  for  trans- 

cury.     The  god  may  be  called  vol-  muting  metals  into  gold. 

atile,   from    hift   winged    sandals;  608.  r/r^/o^/.?,  powerful. 

the   metal,  because  at  a  certain  609.   arch-cheviic,    having    su- 

heat  it  Hies  off  in  vapor.  Chemists  prerae  chemical  powers,  by  whicl: 

bind  it  by  combining  it  with  other  the  nature  of  bodies  is  changed, 
substances. 


Book  JII. 


PARADISE  LOST.  91 


Of  color  glorious  and  effect  so  rare  ? 

Here  matter  new  to  gaze  the  Devil  met 

Undazzled  :  far  and  wide  his  eye  commands  ; 

For  sight  no  obstacle  found  here,  nor  shade,  61fi 

But  all  sunshine,  as  when  his  beams  at  noon 

Culminate  from  the  equator,  as  they  now 

Shot  upward  still  direct,  whence  no  way  round 

Shadow  from  body  opaque  can  fall ;  and  the  air, 

Nowhere  so  clear,  sharpened  his  visual  ray  620 

To  objects  distant  for,  whereby  he  soon 

Saw  within  ken  a  glorious  angel  stand. 

The  same  whom  John  saw  also  in  the  sun  : 

His  back  was  turned,  but  not  his  brightness  hid ; 

Of  beaming  sunny  rays  a  golden  tiar  325 

C'rcled  his  head,  nor  less  his  locks  behind 

Illustrious  on  his  shoulders  fledge  Avith  wings 

Lay  waving  round  ;  on  some  great  charge  employed 

He  seemed,  or  fixed  in  cogitation  deep. 

Glad  was  the  Spirit  impure,  as  now  in  hope  630 

To  find  who  might  direct  his  wandering  flight 

To  Paradise,  the  happy  seat  of  Man, 

His  journey's  end  and  our  beginning  woe. 

But  first  he  casts  to  change  his  proper  shape, 

Which  else  might  Avork  him  danger  or  delay  :  635 

And  now  a  stripling  Cherub  he  appears. 

Not  of  the  prime,  yet  such  as  in  his  face 

Youth  smiled  celestial,  and  to  every  limb 

Suitable  grace  diffused,  so  well  he  feigned  : 

613.  ^^zs,  gaze  upon.  623.   The  same.      "  And  I  ss^ 

617.    Culm innte  from  the  eqiia-  an  angel  standing  in  the  BUn." 

tor,  are  vertical  when  the  sun  is  Rev.  xix.  17. 

directly  over  the  equator,  shoot-  625.  tiar,  tiara, 

ing  directly  downwards,  ju.st  as  627.  Illustrious^   bright.  — 

I'llif  now  shot  vpwar'I  still  direct,  fied^e,  Hedged. 

61S.  tWi'^Hce,  for  which  reason;  631.  tr/io,  one  who. 

on  wt  ich  account.  634.  casts.,  plans  ;  casts  in  lill 

62C     yowkere,  nowhere  else.  —  mind. 

v'sual  ray,  vision  ;  sight.  637.  as,  that. 

622.  within  ken,  near  enough 
o  be  recognized. 


92  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  III. 

Dnder  a  coronet  his  flowino-  hair  64iO 

in  curls  on  either  cheek  played  ;  wings  he  wore 

Of  many  a  colored  plume  sprinkled  with  gold, 

His  habit  fit  for  speed  succinct,  and  held 

Before  his  decent  steps  a  silver  wand. 

He  drew  not  nigh  unheard ;  the  angel  bright,  645 

Ere  he  drew  nigh,  his  radiant  visage  turned. 

Admonished  by  his  ear,  and  straight  was  known 

The  archangel  Uriel,  one  of  the  seven 

Who  in  God's  presence  nearest  to  his  throne 

Stand  ready  at  command,  and  are  his  eyes  650 

That  run  through  all  the  heavens,  or  down  to  the   earth 

Bear  his  swift  errands  over  moist  and  dry, 

O'er  sea  and  land  :  him  Satan  thus  accosts : 

"  Uriel,  for  thou  of  those  seven  spirits  that  stand 
In  sight  of  God's  high  throne,  gloriously  bright,        655 
The  first  art  wont  his  great  authentic  will 
Interpreter  through  highest  Heaven  to  bring, 
Where  all  his  sons  thy  embassy  attend  ; 
And  here  art  likeliest  by  supreme  decree 
Like  honor  to  obtain,  and  as  his  eye  660 

To  visit  oft  this  new  creation  round  ; 
Unspeakable  desire  to  see  and  know 
All  these  his  wondrous  works,  but  chiefly  Man, 
His  chief  delight  and  favor,  him  for  whom 
All  these  his  works  so  wondrous  he  ordained,  666 

Hath  brought  me  from  the  quires  of  Cherubim 
Alone  thus  wandering.     Brightest  Seraph,  tell 
In  which  of  all  these  shining  orbs  hath  Man 
His  fixed  seat,  or  fixed  seat  hath  none, 

643.  habit  (garment)  seems  to  650.  are  his  eyes.  "  They  are 
iepeud  oa  wore,  or  what  is  im-  fee  eyes  of  the  Lord,  wliich  ruu 
plied  in  it.  —  succinct ,  girded  up  to  ami  fro  through  the  whole 
fhort.  earth.^'     Zechariah  iv.  10. 

644.  decent,  becoming;  grace-  657.  Interpreter,  mxaUitptiXiit 
f"l-  658.  altnid^  await. 

64S     Uriel  is  mentioned  in  the        666.  quires,  choirs. 
Apocrypha,  2  Esdras  iv.  1. 


Book  III.]  PARADISE   LOST.  93 

But  all  these  shining  orbs  his  choice  to  dwell ;  670 

That  I  may  find  him,  and  with  secret  gaze 

Or  open  admiration  him  beliold, 

On  whom  the  great  Creator  hath  bestowed 

VVorhls,  and  on  whom  hath  all  these  graces  poured  ; 

That  both  In  him  and  all  things,  as  Is  meet,  675 

The  unlvei-sal  Maker  we  may  praise  ; 

Who  justly  hath  driven  out  his  rebel  foes 

To  deepest  Hell,  and,  to  repair  that  loss, 

Created  this  new  happy  race  of  men 

To  serve  him  better  :  wise  are  all  his  Avays."  cr*0 

So  spake  the  false  dissembler  unpercelved ; 
For  neither  man  nor  angel  can  discern 
Hypocrisy,  the  only  evil  that  walks 
Invisible,  except  to  God  alone, 

By  his  permissive  will,  through  Heaven  and  Earth  :  685 
And  oft,  though  wisdom  Avake,  suspicion  sleeps 
At  wisdom's  gate,  and  to  simplicity 
Resigns  her  charge,  while  goodness  thinks  no  111 
Where  no  111  seems  ;  which  noAv  for  once  beguiled 
Uriel,  though  regent  of  the  sun,  and  held  m^ 

The  sharpest  sighted  spirit  of  all  in  Heaven ; 
Who  to  the  fraudulent  Impostor  foul. 
In  his  uprightness,  answer  thus  returned  : 

"  Fair  angel,  thy  desire,  which  tends  to  knoAv 
The  works  of  God,  thereby  to  glorify  '  Qgg 

The  great  work-master,  leads  to  no  excess 
That  reaches  blame,  but  rather  merits  praise 
The  more  it  seems  excess,  that  led  thee  hither 
From  thy  empyreal  mansion  thus  alone. 
To  witness  Avith  thine  eyes  Avhat  some  perhaps,         700 

670    divell^  dwell  in.  699.   empyreal,    heavenly  ;    in 

689.  which.  For  the  antecedent  the  pure  region  of  light,  abort 
If  this  pronoun,  see  line  683.  created  spheres. 

690.  held,  coosidered  as. 


94  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  III  j 

Contented  with  report,  hear  only  In  Heaven: 

For  wonderful  Indeed  are  all  his  works, 

Pleasant  to  know,  and  worthiest  to  be  all 

Had  In  remembrance  always  with  delight ; 

But  what  created  mind  can  comprehend  TOS 

Their  number,  or  the  wisdom  infinite 

That  brought  them  forth,  but  hid  their  causes  deep  ? 

I  saw  when  at  his  word  the  formless  mass, 

This  World's  material  mould,  came  to  a  heap : 

Confusion  heard  his  voice,  and  wild  uproar  710 

Stood  ruled,  stood  vast  infinitude  confined  ; 

Till  at  his  second  bidding  darkness  fled. 

Light  shone,  and  order  from  disorder  sprung. 

Swift  to  their  several  quarters  hasted  then 

The  cumbrous  elements,  earth,  flood,  air,  fire,  716 

And  this  ethereal  quintessence  of  Heaven 

Flew  upward,  spirited  with  various  forms, 

That  rolled  orbicular,  and  turned  to  stars 

Numberless,  as  thou  seest,  and  how  they  move ; 

Each  had  his  place  appointed,  each  his  course,         720 

The  rest  In  circuit  Avails  this  universe. 

Look  downward  on  that  globe  whose  hither  side 

With  light  from  hence,  though  but  reflected,  shines  : 

That  place  is  Earth,  the  seat  of  Man  ;  that  light 

His  day,  which  else  as  the  other  hemisphere  725 

Night,  would  invade ;  but  there  the  neighboring  moon 

(So  call  that  opposite  fair  star)  her  aid 

Timely  Intei-poses,  and,  her  monthly  round 

Still  ending,  still  renewing,  through  mid  heaven, 

708.  a«  his  ivord.      "For    he    out  of  which  the  heavens  and  the 


■pake,  and  it  was  done  ;  he  com- 
manded,   and    it    stood    fast." 


Im  xxxiu. 


stars  were  formed. 

17.  spirited^  animated. 
19.  hoiu  they  tnove^  thou 


715.  flood,  water.  how  they  move. 

71G.  this  ethereal  quintessence.  721.    The  rest,  the  rest  of  this 

It  was  the  belief  of  some  of  the  quintessence.  —  in  circuit,  round 

ancient  philosophers  that  there  about. 

was,  besides  the  four  elements,  a  727.  call  is  in  the  imperativ* 

fifth  essence,  "  quinta  essentia,"  mood. 


Book  III.]  PARADISE  LOST.  95 

With  borrowed  light  her  countenance  triform  730 

Hence  fills  and  empties  to  enlighten  the  earth, 

And  in  her  pale  dominion  checks  the  night. 

That  spot  to  which  I  point  is  Paradise, 

Adam's  abode,  those  lofty  shades  his  bower  : 

Thy  way  thou  canst  not  misfl,  me  mine  requires."    735 

Thus  said,  he  turned ;  and  Satan  bowing  low, 
As  to  superior  spirits  is  wont  In  Heaven, 
Where  honor  due  and  reverence  none  neglects, 
Took  leave,  and  toward  the  coast  of  Earth  beneath, 
Down  from  the  ecliptic,  sped  with  hoped  success,     740 
Throws  his  steep  flight  In  many  an  aery  wheel, 
Nor  stayed,  till  on  Niphates'  top  he  lights. 

730.  triform,   having   three  741.  wheel,  turn  or  rotation. 
Bhapes  or  phases.                                    742.  Nipliates'  top.      Niphates 

731.  Hence,  from  the  sun.  is  a  mountain  chain  of  Armenia, 
735.  me  mine  requires,  my  way    in  Turkey  in  Asia,  north  of  M*;S- 

needs  me.  ^  opotamia,    the  region  in   which 

740.  the  ecliptic,  the  sun's  ap-  thegardenof  Edento  SJi»po3«d  to 

parent  path.  —  sped  ivith  harped  have  been  situated 
fuccess,  hastened  by  the  hope  of 


BOOK   IV. 

THE  ARGUMENT. 

Satan,  now  in  prospect  of  EJen  and  nigh  the  place  where  he  must 
now  attempt  the  bold  enterprise  which  he  undertook  alone  against 
Goti  and  Man,  falls  into  many  doubts  with  himself,  and  many 
passions,  fear,  envy,  and  despair;  but  at  length  confirms  himself 
in  evil,  journeys  on  to  Paradise,  whose  outward  prospect  and  sit- 
uation is  described,  overleaps  the  bounds,  sits  in  tlie  shape  of  a 
cormorant  on  the  Tree  of  Life,  as  highest  in  the  garden,  to  look 
about  him.  The  gal-don  described  ;  Satan's  first  sight  of  Adam 
and  Eve  ;  his  wonder  at  their  excellent  form  and  happy  state,  but 
with  resolution  to  work  their  fall ;  overhears  their  discourse, 
thence  gathers  that  the  tree  of  knowledge  was  forbidden  them  to 
eat  of,  iinder  penalty  of  death ;  and  thereon  intends  to  found  his 
temptation,  by  seducing  them  to  transgress  :  then  leaves  them 
awhile,  to  know  further  of  their  state  by  some  other  means. 
Meanwhile  Uriel  descending  on  a  sunbeam  warns  Gabriel,  who 
had  in  charge  the  gate  of  Paradise,  that  some  evil  spirit  had 
escaped  the  deep,  and  passed  at  noon  by  his  sphere  in  the  shape 
of  a  good  angel  down  to  Paradise,  discovered  after  by  his  furious 
gestures  in  the  mount.  Gabriel  promises  to  find  him  ere  morning. 
Night  coming  on,  Adam  and  Eve  discourse  of  going  to  their  rest : 
their  bower  described  ;  their  evening-  worship.  Gabriel,  drawing 
forth  his  bands  of  night-watch  to  walk  the  round  of  Paradise,  ap- 
points two  strong  angels  to  Adam's  bower,  lest  the  evil  Spirit 
should  be  there  doing  some  harm  to  Adam  or  Eve  sleeping  ;  there 
they  find  him  at  the  ear  of  Eve  tempting  her  in  a  dream,  and 
bring  him,  thovigh  unwilling,  to  Gabriel ;  by  whom  questioned, 
he  scornfully  answei's,  prepares  resistance,  but  hindered  by  a  sign 
from  Heaven  flies  out  of  Paradise. 

I        O  FOR  that  warning  voice,  which  he  who  saw 
The  Apocalypse  heard  cry  in  Heaven  aloud, 
Then  when  the  Dragon,  put  to  second  rout, 

1.    that    ivnrning    voice.  3.  second  rout.    The  first  rout 

See  Revelation  xii.  9-12.  was  the  expulsion  of  the  rebel 


f, 


Book  I  v.]  PARADISE  LOST.  97 


^  Came  furious  down  to  be  revenged  on  men, 
\3^     Woe  to  the  inhabitants  on  Earth  !  that  now,  5 

!^,  a^       While  time  was,  our  first  parents  had  been  warned 
^u.  The  coming  of  their  secret  foe,  and  scaped, 

Haplj  so  scaped,  his  mortal  snare  :  for  now 
Satan,  now  first  inflamed  with  rage,  came  down, 
The  tempter  ere  the  accuser  of  mankind,  10 

To  wreak  on  innocent  frail  man  his  loss 
Of  that  first  battle,  and  his  flight  to  Hell ; 
Yet  not  rejoicing  in  his  speed,  though  bold 
Far  off  and  fearless,  nor  with  cause  to  boast. 
Begins  his  dire  attempt,  wliich  nigh  the  birth  lo 

Now  rolling  boils  in  his  tumultuous  breast, 
v^         And  like  a  devilish  engine  back  recoils 
^5       Upon  himself:  horror  and  doubt  distract 

His  troubled  thoughts,  and  from  the  bottom  stir 
Sj         The  hell  within  him ;  for  within  him  hell  20 

He  brings,  and  round  about  him,  nor  from  hell 
C         One  step,  no  more  than  from  himself,  can  fly 
vj         By  change  of  place  :  now  conscience  wakes  despair 
■  J;;  I'hat  slumbered,  wakes  the  bitter  memory 

^  Of  what  he  was,  what  is,  and  what  must  be  25 

(  Worse ;  of  worse  deeds  worse  sufferings  must  ensue. 

^  ,  Sometimes  toward  Eden,  which  now  in  his  view 

Lay  pleasant,  his  grieved  look  he  fixes  sad  ; 
Sometimes  towards  Heaven  and  the  full  blazing  sun 
Which  now  sat  high  in  his  meridian  tower ;  30 

-  Then  much  revolving,  thus  in  sighs  began : 

X»         "  O  thou  that,  with  surpassing  glory  crowned, 

>  Look'st  from  thy  sole  dominion  like  the  god 

;^s^  Of  this  new  Avorld,  at  whose  sight  all  the  stars 

, 'tj'  Hide  their  diminished  heads,  to  thee  I  call,  35 

angels   from  Heaven.     It  is  de-  late.  —  had    been,    might    have 

scribed  in  Book  VI.  been.  —  warned,  warned  cf. 

6.  ivhile  thne  teas,  while  there  30.  in  his  meridian   tower,  at 

was  time  ;  before  it  should  be  too  his  noon-day  height. 
7 


^5 


1 


3d  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IV 

But  with  no  friendly  voice,  and  add  thy  name, 

0  Sun  !  to  tell  thee  how  I  hate  thy  beams, 
Tliat  bring  to  my  remembrance  from  what  state 

1  fell,  how  glorious  once  above  thy  sphere ; 

Till  pride  and  worse  ambition  threw  me  down,  IQ 

Warring  in  Heaven  against  Heaven's  matchless  king-. 

Ah,  wherefore  ?  he  deserved  no  such  return 

From  me,  whom  he  created  what  T  was 

[n  that  bright  eminence,  and  with  his  good 

Upbraided  none  ;  nor  was  his  service  hard  :  15 

What  could  be  less  than  to  afford  him  praise, 

The  easiest  recompense,  and  pay  him  thanks. 

How  due  !  yet  all  his  good  proved  ill  in  me. 

And  wrgught  but  malice  ;  lifted  up  so  high 

I  sdeined  subjection,  and  thought  one  step  higher       50 

Would  set  me  highest,  and  in  a  moment  quit 

The  debt  immense  of  endless  gratitude. 

So  burdensome  still  paying  still  to  owe ; 

Forgetful  what  from  him  1  still  received, 

And  understood  not  that  a  grateful  mind  55 

By  owing  owes  not,  but  still  pays,  at  once 

Indebted  and  discharged  ;  what  burden  then  ? 

O  had  his  powerful  destiny  ordained 

Me  some  inferior  angel,  I  had  stood 

Then  happy ;  no  unbounded  hope  had  raised  60 

Ambition.      Yet  why  not  ?  some  other  power 

As  great  might  have  aspired,  and  me  though  mean 

Drawn  to  his  part ;  but  other  powers  as  great 

Fell  not,  but  stand  unshaken,  fi'om  within 

Or  from  without  to  all  temptations  armed.  65 

Hadst  thou  the  same  free  will  and  power  to  stand  ? 

Thou  hadst :  whom  hast  thou  then  or  what  to  accuse 

But  Heaven's  free  love  dealt  equally  to  all  ? 

50.  <!deineff,    disdained,    from        63.  part^  party ;  side 
the  Italian  "  sdegnare."  65.  to,  against. 

51.  quit,   discharge ;    relieve 
from. 


B(    K  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  99 

Be  then  his  love  accursed,  since  love  or  hate 

Tc  me  alike  it  deals  eternal  woe.  70 

Nay,  cursed  be  thou ;  since  against  his  thy  will 

Chose  ii-eely  what  it  now  so  justly  rues. 
Me  miserable  !  which  way  shall  I  fly 
Infinite  wrath  and  infinite  despair  ? 
Which  way  I  fly  is  hell ;  myself  am  hell ;  75 

And  in  the  lowest  deep  a  lower  deep 
Still  threatening  to  devour  me  opens  wide, 
To  which  the  hell  I  suffer  seems  a  heaven. 
.  .'    O  then  at  last  relent !  is  there  no  place 
-    Left  for  repentance,  none  for  pardon  left  ?  80 

X    None  left  but  by  submission  ;  and  that  word 
•^    Disdain  forbids  me,  and  my  dread  of  shame 
^>^ Among  the  spirits  beneath,  whom  I  seduced 
"^   With  other  promises  and  other  vaunts 
-  3    Than  to  submit,  boasting  I  could  subdue  86 

^^  The  Omnipotent.     Ay  me  !  they  little  know 
^  How  dearly  I  abide  that  boast  so  vain, 
.V-   Under  what  torments  inwardly  I  groan  ; 
''.  While  they  adore  me  on  the  throne  of  Hell, 
With  diadem  and  sceptre  high  advanced,  90 

The  lower  still  I  fall,  only  supreme 
In  misery ;  such  joy  ambition  finds. 
But  say  I  could  repent,  and  could  obtain 
By  act  of  grace  my  former  state,  —  how  soon 
Would  height  recall  high  thoughts,  how  soon  unsay   95 
What  feigned  submission  swore  !  ease  would  recant 
Vows  made  in  pain,  as  violent  and  void 
(For  never  can  true  reconcilement  grow 
Where  wounds  of  deadly  hate  have  pierced  so  deep). 
Which  would  but  lead  me  to  a  worse  relapse         100 
And  heavier  fall  ;  so  should  I  purchase  dear 
Short  intermission  bought  with  double  smart. 

71.  A('5,  his  will.  94.  act  of  grace,  decree  oi  pai 

87.    abide,    sutfer    the    conse-    don. 
luences  of. 


100  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IV. 

This  knows  my  punislier ;  therefore  as  far 
From  granting  be,  as  I  from  begging,  peace. 
Ail  Lope  excluded  thus,  behold  instead  106 

Of  us  outcast,  exiled,  his  new  delight 
Mankind  created,  and  for  him  this  world. 
So  farewell  hope,  and  with  hope  farewell  fear, 
Farewell  remorse !  all  good  to  me  Is  lost : 
Evil,  be  thou  my  good ;  by  thee  at  least  110 

Divided  empire  with  Heaven's  king  I  hold, 
By  thee   and  more  than  half  perhaps  will  reign 
— o^  Man  ere  long  and  this  new  workl  shall  know.** 

Thus  while  he  spake,  each  passion  dimmed  his  face 
Thrice  changed  with  pale,  ire,  envy,  and  despair,    115 
\^  Which  marred  his  borrowed  visage,  and  betrayed 
,  '^  Him  counterfeit,  if  any  eye  beheld ; 
vi  For  heavenly  minds  from  such  distempers  foul 
i^'i   Are  ever  clear.      Whereof  he  soon  aware 

X  Each  perturbation  smoothed  with  outward  calm,      120 
"^xi)  Artificer  of  fraud  ;  and  was  the  first 

s  That  practised  falsehood  under  saintly  show, 
/    vl  Deep  malice  to  conceal  couched  with  revenge. 
^'"let  not  enough  had  practised  to  deceive 
Si,\  Uriel  once  warned  ;  whose  eye  pursued  him  down    1% 
*^  'The  way  he  went,  and  on  the  Assyrian  mount 
\  Saw  him  disfigured,  more  than  could  befall 
J  Spirit  of  happy  sort :  his  gestures  fierce 
,/*S^  He  marked  and  mad  demeanor,  then  alone, 
\i  As  he  supposed,  all  unobserved,  unseen.  iso 

So  on  he  lares,  and  to  the  border  comes 
Of  Eden,  where  delicious  Paradise, 

112.   more  than  half  perhaps.  123.  couched^     close    lurking, 

Already  Hell  is  his,  and  he  hopes  lying  close. 

to  g3i\n  this  m-iv  world.  —  By  thee  125.    Uriel  once  warned.     Sec 

precedes  and  for  emphasis.  114—119. 

115.  pale,  the  paleness  of  ire,  127-  the  Assyrian  mount      Sm 

of  envy,  and  of  despair.  III.  742. 

117    counterfeit.    See  ni.  636. 


R,-K>K  rV.]  PARADISE   LOST.  101 

Kow  nearer,  crowns  with  licr  enclosure  green, 
As  with  a  rural  mound,  the  champain  head 
Of  a  steep  wilderness,  whose  hairy  sides  138 

With  thicket  overgrown,  grotesque  and  wild, 
^  Access  denied  ;  and  over  head  up  grew 

V  Insuperable  height  of  loftiest  shade, 

^S  Cedarj  and  pine,  and  fir,  and  branching  palm, 
'  ^>^  A  sylvan  scene  ;  and,  as  the  ranks  ascend  140 

i^'    Shade  above  shade,  a  woody  theatre 

Of  stateliest  view.     Yet  higher  than  their  tops 
^- '     The  verdurous  wall  of  Paradise  up  sprung, 
Which  to  our  general  sire  gave  prospect  large 
Into  his  nether  empire  neighboring  round.  145 

And  higher  than  that  Avail  a  circling  row 
,.  Of  goodliest  trees  loaden  with  fairest  fruit, 
>y  Blossoms  and  fruits  at  once  of  golden  hue, 
"^  Appeared,  with  gay  enamelled  colors  mixed ; 

On  which  the  sun  more  glad  impressed  his  beams     150 
,^'  Than  in  fair  evenins;  cloud,  or  humid  bow 
r^  When  God  has  showered  the  earth  ;  so  lovely  seemed 
^J^  That  landscape:  and  of  pure  now  purer  air 
^' -Meets  his  approach,  and  to  the  heart  inspires 

Vernal  delight  and  joy,  able  to  drive  156 

All  sadness  but  despair :  now  gentle  gales. 
Fanning  their  odoriferous  wings,  dispense 

V  Native  perfumes,  and  whisper  whence  they  stole 
^  Those  balmy  spoils.      As  when  to  them  who  sail 

Beyond  the  Cape  of  Hope,  and  now  are  past  lao 

■   Mozambic,  off  at  sea  northeast  winds  blow 
Sabean  odors  from  the  spicy  shore 

134.  the   champain    head,    the  154.  inspires,  breathes  in. 

ISTel  summit.  V\0.  of  Hnpe,  of  Good  llnpe. 

137.  Access  (Jellied,  fovha.de  up-  162.  Sabi-an  otiors.  The  .';outh- 

woach.  em  part  of  Arabia  is  ofte]i  called 

141.  theatre,  a  place  rising  by  Arabia  Felix,  or  the  Blest.  Iti 
ereps,  like  the  seat.s  of  aa  aiicieut  ancient  capital  was  Saba,  or  She- 
theatre,  ba,  whose  (lucen  came  to  Jeriisa 

163.  of,  from  or  after.  lem  "  to  hear  the  wisdom  of  Solo- 


102  PARADISE   LOST.  [Book  IV- 

Of  Arab/  the  Blest ;  with  such  delay 

Well    pleased  they  slack  their   course,  and  many  a 

league 
Cheered  with  the  grateful  smell  old  Ocean  smiles :  165 
So  entertained  those  odorous  sweets  the  Fiend 
Who    came    their    bane,    though    with    them    better 

pleased 
Than  Asmodeus  with  the  lishy  fume 
That  drove  him,  though  enamored,  from  the  spouse 
Of  Tobit's  son,  and  with  a  vengeance  sent  170 

From  Media  post  to  Egypt,  there  fast  bound. 

Now  to  the  ascent  of  that  steep  savage  hill 
Satan  had  journeyed  on,  pensive  and  slow  ; 
But  further  way  found  none,  so  thick  entwined, 
'^  As  one  continued  brake,  the  undergrowth  175 

\i^  Of  shrubs  and  tangling  bushes  had  perplexed 
^  All  path  of  man  or  beast  that  passed  that  way. 
One  gate  there  only  was,  and  that  looked  east 
^  On  the  other  side :   which  when  the  arch-felon  saw, 
^  Due  entrance  he  disdained,  and  in  contempt  18C 

"^^  At  one  slight  bound  high  overleaped  all  bound 
Of  hill  or  highest  wall,  and  sheer  within 
Lights  on  his  feet.      As  when  a  prowling  wolf 
Whom  hunger  drives  to  seek  new  haunt  for  prey, 
Watching  where  shepherds  pen  their  flocks  at  eve 


rnon,"  bringing  spices,  gold,  and  "  the  which  smell  when  the  e-vil 

precious    stones  ;    "  neither  was  spirit  had  smelled,  he  hf-.>\  into 

there  any  such  spice  as  the  queen  the  utmost  parts  of  Egypt,  and 

of  Sheba  gave  King  Solomon."  2  the    angel    bound    him""      The 

Chronicles  ix.  1-9.  story  is  found  in  the  Book  of  To- 

167.  their  bane,  as  their  bane  ;  bit,  in  the  Apocrypha.    See  chap 
to  poison  them.  viii. 

168.  Asmodeus  was  an  evil  171.  Merli'a,  a  country  east  of 
Bpirit,  who  had  destroyed  in  sue-  Assyria  and  south  of  the  Caspian 
cession  seven  husbands  of  the  Sea.  —  ;7o.<;i,  with  great  speed. 
daughter  of  Raguel.  After  she  172.  snvas^e,  ^vild  and  woody, 
became  the  spouse  of  Tobifs  son,  175.  As,  like.  —  brnke,  thicket 
fee  was  driven  away  by  the  fumes  176.  had,  woiild  have. — ptf 
of  the  heart  and  liver  of  a  fish  ;  plexed,  made  intricate. 


^-^ 


Book  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  108 

[n  hurdled  cotes  amid  the  field  secure,  188 

C^~~-        Leaps  o'er  the  fence  with  ease  into  the  fold  ; 
^  Or  as  a  thief,  bent  to  unhoard  the  cash 

Of  some  rich  burgher,  Avhose  substantial,  dooi-s 
Cross-barred  and  bolted  fast  fear  no  assault,  190 

In  at  the  window  climbs,  or  o'er  the  tiles : 
^         So  clomb  this  first  grand  thief  into  God's  fold  ; 

So  since  into  his  church  lewd  hirelings  climb. 
\    v^^hence  up  he  flew,  and  on  the  Tree  of  Life, 
^'        The  middle  tree  and  highest  there  that  grew,  196 

Sat  like  a  cormorant ;  yet  not  true  life 
Thereby  regained,  but  sat  devising  death 
To  them  who  lived ;  nor  on  the  virtue  thought 
Of  that  life-giving  plant,  but  only  used 
For  prospect  what  well  used  had  been  the  pledge   200 
^       Of  immortality.      So  little  knows 
iv5      Any,  but  God  alone,  to  value  right 
^      The  good  before  him,  but  perverts  best  things 
To  worst  abuse  or  to  their  meanest  use. 

meath  him  with  new  wonder  now  he  views,  20S 

vl     To  all  delight  of'human  sense  exposed, 
^     In  narrow  room  Nature's  whole  wealth,  yea  more, 
^     A  heaven  on  Earth  ;  for  blissful  Paradise 
^    Of  God  the  garden  was,  by  him  in  the  east 
>^   Of  Eden  planted  ;  Eden  stretched  her  line  214 

,,^  From  Auran  eastward  to  the  royal  towei^ 
"^i  Of  great  Seleucia,  built  by  Grecian  kings, 

186.  hurdled,  fenced  about  with  198.  virhie,  peculiar  povrer  oi 

Slicks  or  twigs  closely  interwoven,  properties. 

—  secure.     See  II.  399.  2,(f>.  For  prospect,    as   a  place 

192.  So  r/omb.     See  John  x.  1.  from   which   to   look    abroad.  — 

193.  leivd  is  probably  used  here  had  been,  would  have  been. 
a^m  .Kc't?>  wn.  b^iov  vile,iinprin-  210.  Eden.      ''And    the    Lord 
cipled.     Elsewhere  Milton  speaks  God  planted  a  garden  eastward 
of  '"hii-eling  wolves,  whose  gos-  in  Eden."     Genesis  ii.  8. 

pel  is  their  maw."  211-214.  Auran,  or  Ilaran  (also 

194.  l,'ie  Tree  of 'Life.  "The  called  Charran),  was  a  city  in  the 
tre<-  of  life  also  in  the  midst  of  northwestern  part  of  Mesopo- 
tlio  garden."     Genesis  ii.  9.  taniia,  the  name  anciently  given 

19(5.  cQiinornnt.  The  cormo-  to  the  country  lying  l.etwt^en  th« 
xaut  is  a  kind  of  sea -fowl,  ex-  rivers  Tigris  anii  Eupiarates 
Veniely  voracious. 


J 04  PARADISE  LOST.  fBooit  IV. 

Or  where  the  sons  of  Eden  long  befc  re 
Dwelt  in  Telassar.     In  this  pleasant  soil 
His  far  more  pleasant  garden  God  ordained  :  215 

Out  of  the  fertile  ground  he  caused  to  grow 
All  trees  of  noblest  kind  for  sight,  smell,  taste ; 
And  all  amid  them  stood  the  Tree  of  LifCf 
High  eminent,  blooming  ambrosial  fruit 
Of  vegetable  gold  ;  and  next  to  life  220 

/Our  death,  the  Tree  of  Knowledge,  grew  fast  by, 
I  Knowledge  of  good  bought  dear  by  knowing  ill. 
Southward  through  Eden  went  a  river  large. 
Nor  chano;ed  his  course,  but  throun;h  the  sha£i;o;y  hill 
>  Passed  underneath  ingulfed ;  for  God  had  thrown    225 
"'^•4^:  That  mountain  as  his  irarden  mould  hio-h  raised 
^i  Upon  the  rapid  current,  which,  through  veins 
Of  porous  earth  with  kindly  tliirst  up-drawn. 
Rose  a  fresh  fountain,  and  with  many  a  rill 
Watered  the  garden  ;  thence  united  fell  230 

'■'^  Do'\\Ti  the  steep  glade,  and  met  the  nether  flood 
'«  Which  from  his  darksome  passage  now  appears, 
"J  And  now  divided  into  four  main  streams 
\Runs  diverse  Avandering  many  a  famous  realm 
And  country,  whereof  here  needs  no  account ;  235 

But  rather  to  tell  how,  if  Art  could  tell 
f*EIow,  from  that  sapphire  fount  the  crisped  brooks, 

Seleucia  was  a  city  in  the  south-  "  And  the  tree  of  knowledge  of 

ea£tern  part  of  Mesopotamia,  on  good  and  evil."     Genesis  ii.  9.  — 

ihe  river  Tigris,  built  near  the  /a.t<  bj/.     See  I.  12. 

ancient  Telassar  by  Seleucus,  a         223.  a  river  large.      "  A  river 

Macedonian  general  who  became  went   out  of  Eden  to  water  the 

king  of  Syria  and  the  founder  of  garden."     Genesis  ii.  10. 

a  line  of   Grecian   kings.  — The        224.  his,  its.     So  in  line  232. 

exact  situation  of  the  Garden  of         233.  foitr  main  streams.    "And 

Sden  has  always  been  a  matter  from  thence   it  was  parted,  and 

of    coujer*tui-e.  —  pleasant    soil,  became  into  four  heads."     Gen. 

The  word  Eden  means  pleasui-e,  ii.  10-14. 

delight.  234.  ivandering,     wandering 

218.  all   amid   them,   "  in  the  over  or  tiirough. 
inidst  of  the  garden."     Genesis        237.  crisped,  curled   in    smai' 

.  9.  —  blooming,  blooming  ^vith.  waves. 

ffil.  the    Tree    of   Knowledge. 


BOOE  rV.]  I'ARADTSE    LOST.  \0t 

Rolling  on  orient  pearl  and  sands  of  gold 

With  mazy  error  under  pendent  shades, 

Ran  nectar,  visiting  eacli  plant,  and  fed  240 

Flowers  wortliy  of  Paradise,  which  not  nice  Art 

In  beds  and  curious  knots,  but  Nature  boon 

Poured  forth  profuse  on  liill   and  dale  and  plain, 

Both  where  the  morning  sun  first  warmly  smote 

The  open  field,  anil  where  the  unpierced  shade         245 

Iinbrowned  the  noon-tide  bowers.     Thus  was  this  place 

A  happy  rural  seat  of  various  view  ; 

Groves  whose  rich  trees  wept  odorous  gums  and  balm, 

Others  whose  fruit  burnished  with  golden  rind 

Hung  amiable,  —  Hesperian  fables  true,  250 

If  true,  here  only,  —  and  of  delicious  taste. 

Betwixt  them  lawns,  or  level  downs,  and  flocks 

Grazing  the  tender  herb,  were  interposed, 

Or  palmy  hillock  ;  or  the  flowery  lap 

Of  some  irriguous  valley  spread  her  store,  255 

Flowers  of  all  hue,  and  without  thorn  the  rose. 

Another  side,  umbrageous  grots  and  caves 

Of  cool  recess,  o'er  which  the  mantling  vine 

Lays  forth  her  purple  grape,  and  gently  creeps 

Luxuriant:  meanwhile  murmuring  waters  fall  260 

Down  the  slope  hills  dispersed,  or  in  a  lake, 

That  to  the  fringed  bank  with  myrtle  crowned 

Her  crystal  mirror  holds,  unite  their  streams. 

Tlie  birds  their  quire  apply ;  airs,  vernal  airs. 

Breathing  the  smell  of  field  and  grove,  attune  265 

The  ti-embling  leaves,  while  universal  Pan, 

238.  orient,  eastern;    such  as        250.  arw/aWe.  lovely  or  pleasing 
IS  found  in  the  East.  to  the  sight.     See  Psalm  Ixxxiv. 

239.  error,  -vrandering;  course.        1  . —  Hesperian  fables.     See  IH. 
241.  nice  Art.  nice  Art  had  set.     56S.  —  true,  proved  tnie. 

24.*^.  6oon,  bountiful.  2^1.  or  connects /a^/  and  ?/n»7«  . 

245.  vnpierce'I,  not  penetrated  264.  oiiire.  choir.  —  apply,  add : 

bv  the  ravs  of  the  sun.  or,  p!y  ;  employ. 

"246.  /;n/»07fne</.  darkened.  265.  «?«"?(?.  make  tuneful. 

247.  of  various  view,  present-  266.  vnh-ersal    Pan.     Pan  ^^'i 

ing  various  scenes.  the  god  of  shepherds  and  flnclM 


106 


PARADISE  LOST. 


[Boor  V9 


Iviiit  with  the  Graces  and  the  Hours  In  dance, 

Led  on  the  eternal  Spring.     Not  that  fair  field 

Of  Enna,  where  Proserpine  gathering  flowers, 

Herself  a  fairer  flower,  by  gloomy  Dis 

Was  gathered,  which  cost  Ceres  all  that  pain 

To  seek  her  through  the  world ;  nor  that  sweet  grove 

Of  Daphne  by  Orontes,  and  the  inspired 

Castalian  spring,  might  with  this  Paradise 

Of  Eden  strive  ;  nor  that  Nyseian  isle 

Girt  with  the  river  Triton,  where  old  Cham, 

Whom  Gentiles  Amnion  call  and  Libyan  Jove, 

Hid  Amalthda  and  her  florid  son, 

Young  Bacchus,  from  his  stepdame  Khea's  eye; 

Nor  where  Abassin  kings  their  issue  guard. 

Mount  Amara,  though  this  by  some  supposed 

True  Paradise,  under  the  Ethiop  line 


270 


276 


As  the  word  Pan  in  Greek  signi- 
fies»aZ^,  he  is  sometunes  supposed 
to  typify  all  Nature.  He  often 
led  the  dances  of  the  Nymphs. 

267.  the  Graces,  three  in  num- 
ber, were  the  attendants  of  Ve- 
nus, the  goddess  of  beauty,  and 
Bometimes  of  other  deities.  —  the 
Hours  were  the  goddesses  of  the 
season.'!,  whose  course  was  repre- 
sented in  their  dance. 

269-272.  Proserpine,  the  daugh- 
ter of  Ceres,  was  seized  by  Pluto, 
or  Dis,  the  god  of  the  infernal 
regions,  while  she  was  gathering 
flowers  in  the  fertile  plain  of 
Enna  in  Sicily,  and  borne  away 
by  him  to  be  the  queen  of  the 
lower  world.  Her  mother,  in  ig- 
Dorance  of  her  fate,  sought  her 
through  the  world. 

273.  Daphne.  The  city  of  An- 
tioch,  in  Syria,  was  situated  not 
far  from  the  sea  in  the  beautiful 
ralley  of  the  river  Orontes.  Near 
It  was  a  celebrated  grove,  called 
Daphne  and  consecrated  to  Apol- 
lo. 

274.  Castalian  spring.  Casta- 
lia  wag  a  fountain  on  Mount  Par- 
•lusius,  sacred  to  Apollo  and  the 


Muses.  The  spring  that  watered 
the  grove  of  Daphne  was  also  so 
called. 

275-279.  that  Nyseian  isle  is 
Nysa  or  Nyssa  in  Africa,  where 
the  god  Bacchus  was  said  to  have 
been  brought  up. —  Cham,  or 
Ham,  was  a  name  given  to  Jupi- 
ter Ammon,  who  was  worshipped 
in  Libya,  in  the  north  of  Africa. 

—  Amulthea  was  sometimes  con- 
sidered as  the  mother  of  Bacchus. 

—  Rhea  here  seems  to  be  the  same 
as  Cybele.  who  is  called  the  moth- 
er of  all  the  gods. 

280-285.  Mount  Ainara  was  in 
Ethiopia,  near  the  Equinoctial 
line.  In  the  midst  of  the  hills 
of  which  the  ridge  was  composed, 
or  on  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tain, there  was  said  to  be  a  rich 
and  beautiful  plain.  Here  the 
childi'en  of  the  kings  of  Abys- 
sinia were  kept  confined,  until  at 
the  death  of  their  fatlier  one  of 
them  was  taken  from  this  "  Hap- 
py Valley"  to  succeed  liim.— 
The  hill  of  Amara  was  said  to  be 
a  ivhole  day^s  journey  high.  — 
Nilus''  head,  the  source  of  th« 
Nile. 


Book  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  107 

By  NIlus*  head,  enclosed  with  shining  rock, 

A  whole  day's  journey  high,  but  wide  remote 

From  this  Assyrian  garden,  where  the  Fiend  285 

Saw  undellghted  all  delight,  all  kind 

Of  living  creatures  new  to  sight  and  strange. 

Two  of  far  nobler  shape,  erect  and  tall, 
Godlike  erect,  with  native  honor  clad 
In  naked  majesty  seemed  lords  of  all,  290 

And  worthy  seemed ;  for  in  their  looks  divine 
The  image  of  their  glorious  Maker  shone. 
Truth,  wisdom,  sanctitude  severe  and  jiure 
(Severe,  but  in  true  filial  freedom  placed). 
Whence  true  authority  in  men  ;  though  both  296 

Not  equal,  as  their  sex  not  equal,  seemed  ; 
For  contemplation  he  and  valor  formed. 
For  softness  she  and  sweet  attractive  grace ; 
He  for  God  only,  she  for  God  in  him. 
His  fair  large  front  and  eye  sublime  declared  300 

Absolute  rule  ;  and  hyaclnthlne  locks 
^^  Round  from  his  parted  forelock  manly  hung 
Clustering,  but  not  beneath  his  shoulders  broad  : 
She,  as  a  veil,  down  to  the  slender  waist 
"^"  Her  unadorned  golden  tresses  wore  396 

Dishevelled,  but  In  v.-anton  ringlets  waved 

fAs  the  vine  curls  her  tendrils,  which  implied 
Subjection,  but  required  with  gentle  sway, 
^^  And  by  her  yielded,  by  him  best  received, 
\X  Yielded  with  coy  submission,  modest  pride,  510 

And  sweet  reluctant  amorous  delay. 
Nor  those  mysterious  parts  were  then  concealed ; 

292      imnzf-.      "  God    created  brown   or    black.      The  ancient 

pan  in  his  own  image."    Genesis  pcits  used  the  word  to  lepresenJ 

i,  27.  different  colors. 

300. /rent,  forehead.  — 5i<6;(»2«,  SO'J.  !tr<( v.',  wavinir. 

elevated;  noble.  3US.  Ptqiiirru  \fi  here  a  pirtici- 

£01  Ayooini/uns,  probably  dark-  pie 


t.^ 


109  PARA  DTSE  L  OS  T.  [Book  IV 

ThoD  was  not.  guilty  shame,  dishonest  shame 

Of  nature's  Avorks,  honor  dishonorable, 

Sin-bred,  how  have  ye  troubled  all  mankind  816 

With  shows  instead,  mere  shows  of  seeming  pure, 

And  banished  from  man's  life  his  happiest  life, 

Simplicity  and  spotless  innocence  ! 

So  passed  they  naked  on,  nor  shunned  the  sight 

Of  God  or  angel,  for  they  thought  no  ill :  320 

So  hand  in  hand  they  passed,  the  loveliest  pair 

That  ever  since  in  love's  embraces  met; 

Adam  the  goodliest  man  of  men  since  born 

His  sons,  the  fairest  of  her  daughters  Eve, 

Under  a  tuft  of  shade,  ihat  on  a  green  325 

Stood  whispering  soft,  by  a  fi^esh  fountain  side 

They  sat  them  down ;  and  after  no  more  toil 

Of  their  sweet  crardenino;  labor  than  sufficed 

To  recommend  cool  Zephyr,  and  made  ease 

More  easy,  wholesome  thirst  and  appetite  S8f) 

More  grateful,  to  their  supper  fruits  they  fell, 

Nectarine  fi'uits,  which  the  compliant  boughs 

Yielded  them,  sidelong  as  they  sat  recline 

On  the  soft  downy  bank  damasked  with  flowers. 

The  savory  pulp  they  chew,  and  in  the  rind,  335 

Still  as  they  thirsted,  scoop  the  brimming  stream ; 

Nor  gentle  purpose  nor  endearing  smiles 

Wanted,  nor  youthful  dalliance,  as  beseems 

Fair  couple  linked  in  happy  nuptial  league, 

Alone  as  they.      About  them  frisking  i)layed  340 

All  beasts  of  the  earth,  since  wild,  and  of  all  chase 

In  wood  or  wilderness,  forest  or  den  : 

313-315.  The    pitnctuation    is  333.  recline,  reclined, 

that  of  the  earliest  editions.     A  337.  purpose,  discourse, 

period  is  needed  after  (Jislionor-  33S.    Wnntecl,  were  wanting. 

able,  or  after  the  first  shame.  311.  wilf/,    grown    or    become 

329.  rerom'mend,  make  welcome  wild.  — of  all  chase,  beasts  of  all 

nr     acceptable.  —  Zephyr,      or  chase  ;  all  beasts  that  are  huntf*<J 

Zephyrus,     is     the    personifica-  in  various  ways. 
tion  of  the  west  wind. 


BooPv  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  109 

'X   Sporting  the  lion  ramped,  and  in  his  paw 
\;^    Dandled  the  kid ;  bears,  tigers,  ounces,  pards, 
f-^  Gambolled  before  them ;  the  unwieldy  elephant,      815 
^   To  make  them  mirth,  used  all  his  might,  and  wreathed 
His  lithe  proboscis  ;  close  the  serpent  sly 
""    Insinuating  wove  with  Gordian  twine 
His  braided  train,  and  of  his  fatal  guile 
—-    Gave  proof  unheeded  ;  others  on  the  grass  360 

>    Couched,  and  now  filled  with  pasture  gazing  sat, 
^    Or  bedward  ruminating  ;  for  the  sun 
•s     Declined  was  hasting  now  with  prone  career 
To  tlie  ocean  Isles,  and  In  the  ascending  scale 
Of  heaven  the  stars  that  usher  evening  rose  :  355 

When  Satan,  still  In  gaze  as  first  he  stood, 
Scarce  thus  at  length  failed  speech  recovered  sad  : 


->A 


"  O  Hell !  what  do  mine  eyes  with  grief  behold  ? 
Into  our  room  of  bliss  thus  high  advanced 
Creatures  of  other  mould,  earth-born  perhaps,  360 

Not  spirits,  yet  to  heavenly  spirits  bright 
Little  inferior ;  whom  my  thoughts  pui'sue 
With  wonder,  and  could  love,  so  lively  shines 
In  them  divine  resemblance,  and  such  grace 
The  hand  that    formed    them    on    their    shape  hath 
poured.  366 

Ah,  gentle  pair !  ye  little  think  how  nigh 
Your  change  approaches,  when  all  these  delights 
Will  vanish  and  deliver  ye  to  woe, 

343.  raJTJpei^,  bounded ;  leaped.        350.    unheeded   by   Aiam    snd 

344.  pards,  leopards,  or  pan-    Eve. 

thers.  351.    Couched,  lay. 

348.     Insinuating,        winding  So2.  bedward  rutninating, chew- 
along.  —  Gordian.    At  Gordium,  ing  the  cud  before  they  slept. 
In  Asia  Minor,  was  a  celebratpl  353.  prone,  sloping  downwards, 
knot,  so  intricate  that  an  oracle  357.  failed,  lost  for  a  time, 
declared  that  he  who  should  \in-  359.  Into  our  room  of  bliss,  to 
tie    it    should    rule    the    world,  take  our  place  in  bliss. 
4.1exander  of  Macedon  cut  it  with  362.   Little    inferior.       "Thou 
his  sword.  —  twine,  twist  hast  made  bio  a  little  lower  than 
the  angels  "    Psahn  viii.  5. 


110  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IV 

More  woe  the  more  your  taste  Is  now  of  joy : 

Happy,  but  for  so  happy  ill  secured  Zld 

Long  to  continue,  and  this  high  seat  your  heaven 

Ill-fenced  for  heaven  to  keep  out  such  a  foe 

As  now  is  entered ;  yet  no  purposed  foe 

To  you,  whom  I  could  pity  thus  forlorn. 

Though  I  unpitied.     League  Avith  you  I  seek,  375 

And  mutual  amity,  so  strait,  so  close. 

That  I  with  you  must  dwell,  or  you  with  me, 

Henceforth :  my  dwelling  haply  may  not  please, 

Like  this  fair  Paradise,  your  sense ;  yet  such 

Accept  your  INIaker's  work ;  he  gave  it  me,  380 

Which  I  as  freely  give :   Hell  shall  unfold, 

To  entertain  you  two,  her  widest  gates, 

And  send  forth  all  her  kings ;  there  will  be  room. 

Not  like  these  narrow  limits,  to  receive 

Your  numerous  offspring  :  if  no  better  place,  385 

Thank  him  who  puts  me  loath  to  this  revenge 

On  you  who  wrong  me  not,  for  him  Avho  wronged. 

And  should  I  at  your  harmless  innocence 

Melt,  as  I  do,  yetpubhc  reason  just, 

Honor  and  empire  with  revenge  enlarged  390 

By  conquering  this  new  world,  compels  me  now 

To  do  what  else,  though  danmed,  I  should  abhor." 

So  spake  the  Fiend,  and  with  necessity, 
The  tyrant's  plea,  excused  his  deviHsh  deeds. 
Then  from  his  lofty  stand  on  that  high  tree  395" 

Down  he  alights  among  the  sportful  herd 
Of  those  four-footed  kinds,  himself  now  one, 
Now  other,  as  their  shape  served  best  his  end 
Nearer  to  view  his  prey,  and  unespied  398 

To  mark  what  of  their  state  he  more  might  learn 

370.  for,  considering  that  you        3S1.  Hell    shall    unfold.      See 
are.  Isaiah  xi7.  9. 

371.  continue,  continue  happy.        386.  puts,  impels.  — loath,  au 
376.  /myself  remain  unpitied.    willing. 


Book  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  Ill 

By  word  or  action  marked  :  about  them  round 
A  lion  now  lie  stalks  with  fiery  glare ; 
Then  as  a  tiger,  who  by  chance  hath  spied 
In  some  purlieu  two  gentle  fawns  at  play, 
Straight  couches  close,  then  rising  changes  oft         4<:-€ 
His  couchant  watch,  as  one  who  chose  his  ground, 
Whence  rushing  he  might  surest  seize  them  both 
.    Griped  in  each  paw :  when  Adam,  first  of  men, 
To  first  of  women  Eve  thus  moving  speech. 
Turned  him  all  ear  to  hear  new  utterance  tlow  :      41C 

"  Sole  partner  and  sole  part  of  all  these  joys, 
Dearer  thyself  than  all,  needs  must  the  Power 
That  made  us,  and  for  us  this  ample  world, 
Be  infinitely  good,  and  of  his  good 
As  liberal  and  free  as  infinite  ;  415 

That  raised  us  from  the  dust  and  placed  us  here 
:    In  all  this  happiness,  who  at  his  hand 
t-.^    Have  nothing  merited,  nor  can  perform 

Aught  whereof  he  hath  need  ;  he  who  requires 
From  us  no  other  service  than  to  keep  420 

This  one,  this  easy  charge,  of  all  the  trees 
^^  V    In  Paradise  that  bear  delicious  fruit 
Ss.So  various,  not  to  taste  that  only  Tree 

Of  Knowledge,  planted  by  the  Tree  of  Life  ; 
.^  So  near  grows  death  to  life,  whate'er  death  is,         425 
•  -^  Some  dreadful  thing  no  doubt ;  for  well  thou  know'st 
r  /^'  God  hath  pronounced  it  death  to  taste  that  tree, 
'•    ^  The  only  sign  of  our  obedience  left 

Among  so  many  signs  of  power  and  rule 

403.  as  a  ti^er,  in  the  form  or  saying,  Of  every  tree  cf  the  ^ar- 

likeness  of  a  tiger.  den  tiiou  mayest  freely  eat  ;  but 

iOy.  r?2«i'/nir  .s/?eecA,  speaking.  of  the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of 

410.  him,  Satan.  —  all  ear.  See  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt  not  eat 

Comus,    line    560,     "  I  was  all  of  it ;   for  in  the  day  that  thou 

ear."  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  surely 

423.  7iot.  to  taste.      "  And  the  die."    Genesis  ii.  16,  17. 
Lord  God  commanded  the  man, 


Vi 


112  PARADISE  LOS 7.  [Bock  IV. 

Conferred  upon  us,  and  dominion  given  430 

Over  all  other  creatures  that  possess 

Earth,  air,  and  sea.     Then  let  us  not  think  hard 

One  easy  prohibition,  who  enjoy 

Free  leave  so  large  to  all  things  else,  and  choice 

Unlimited  of  manifold  delights  ;  136 

But  let  us  ever  praise  him  and  extol 

His  bounty,  following  our  delightful  task, 

To  prune  these  growing  plants  and  tend  these  flowei^s, 

Which  were  it  toilsome  yet  with  thee  were  sweet." 

To  whom  thus  Eve  replied  :  "  O  thou  for  whom 
And  from  whom  I  was  formed,  flesh  of  thy  flesh,      4U 
And  without  whom  am  to  no  end,  my  guide 
And  head,  what  thou  hast  said  is  just  and  right : 
For  we  to  him  indeed  all  praises  owe. 
And  daily  thanks  ;  I  chiefly,  who  enjoy  445 

So  far  the  happier  lot,  enjoying  thee 
Preeminent  by  so  much  odds,  while  thou 
Like  consort  to  thyself  canst  nowhere  find. 
That  day  I  oft  remember,  when  from  sleep 
I  first  awaked,  and  found  myself  reposed  450 

Under  a  shade  on  flowers,  much  wondering  where 
And  Avhat  I  was,  whence  thither  brought,  and  how. 
Not  distant  far  fi-om  thence  a  murmuring  sound 
Of  waters  Issued  from  a  cave,  and  spread 
Into  a  liquid  plain,  then  stood  unmoved,  456 

Pure  as  the  expanse  of  heaven  :  I  thither  went 
With  unexperienced  thought,  and  laid  me  down 
On  the  green  bank,  to  look  into  the  clear 
Smooth  lake,  that  to  me  seemed  another  sky. 


4313.  dominion,  of  dominion.—        431.  possess,  occxnpj. 
given.  "  llaye  dominion  over  the        441.  froin  tv/inm  I  was  formed 

fish  of  the  sea,  and  over  the  fowl  See  Genesis  ii.  21-23. 
of  the  air,  and  over  every  living        443.  head.     "The  head  of_th« 

thing    that    moveth    upon    the  woman  is  the  man."  1  Cor.  xi.  3 
sarth."    Genesis  i.  28.  450.  reposed,  laid  as  for  rest. 


Book  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  113 

As  I  bent  down  to  look,  just  opposite  460 

A  shape  within  the  watery  gleam  appeared, 
Bending  to  look  on  me  :   I  started  back, 
[t  started  back ;  but  pleased  I  -soon  returned, 
Pleased  it  returned  as  soon  with  answering  looks 
Of  sympathy  and  love  :  there  I  had  fixed  46c 

Mine  eyes  till  now,  and  pined  with  vain  desire. 
Had  not  a  voice  thus  warned  me  :   '  What  thou  seest, 
What  there  thou  seest,  fair  creature,  is  thyself; 
With  thee  it  came  and  goes :  but  follow  me. 
And  I  will  bring  thee  where  no  shadow  stays  470 

Thy  coming  and  thy  soft  embraces ;  he 
Whose  image  thou  art,  him  thou  shalt  enjoy 
Inseparably  thine,  to  him  shalt  bear 
Multitudes  like  thyself,  and  thence  be  called 
Mother  of  human  race.'     What  could  I  do  476 

But  follow  straight,  invisibly  thus  led  ? 
Till  I  espied  thee,  foir  indeed  and  tall, 
Under  a  platane ;  yet,  methought,  less  fair, 
Less  winning  soft,  less  amiably  mild, 
Than  that  smooth  watery  image  :  back  I  turned  ;  m 
Thou  following  criedst  aloud,  '  Return,  fair  Eve ; 
Whom  fly'st  thou  ?  whom  thou  fly'st,  of  him  thou  art. 
His  flesh,  his  bone  ;  to  give  thee  being  I  lent 
Out  of  my  side  to  thee,  nearest  my  heart, 
Substantial  life,  to  have  thee  by  my  side  485 

Henceforth  an  individual  sola'ce  dear; 
Part  of  my  soul  I  seek  thee,  and  thee  claim 
Mj;^her_hslf'     With  that  thy  gentle  hand 
*^ized  mine ;  I  yielded,  and  from  that  time  see 
How  beauty  is  excelled  by  manly  grace  490 

And  wisdom,  which  alone  is  truly  fair." 


465.  harJ,  should  have.  485.  Substantial  having  sub- 

478.  platane,  plane-tree.  stance  ;  material. 

479.  amiably,  so  as  to  attract,  486.    individual,    inseparable ; 
or  to  inspire  Ioto.  not  diyided. 

8 


[14  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IV 

So  spake  our  general  rnotlier,  and  with  eyes 
Of  conjugal  attraction  unreproved 
^  .      And  meek  surrender,  half  embracing  leaned 
^        On  our  first  father  ;  half  her  swelling  breast  486 

■Naked  met  his,  under  the  flowing  gold 
Of  her  loose  tresses  hid :  he  in  delight 
Both  of  her  beauty  and  submissive  charms 
Smiled  with  superior  love,  as  Jupiter 
s^     On  Juno  smiles  when  he  impregns  the  clouds  COO 

^     That  shed  INlay  flowers,  and  pressed  her  matron  lip 
^      With  kisses  pure  :   aside  the  Devil  turned 
For  envy,  yet  with  jealous  leer  malign 
Eyed  them  askance,  and  to  himself  thus  plained  : 

"  Sight  hateful,  sight  tormenting  !     Thus  these  two, 
Imparadised  in  one  another's  arms,  506 

The  happier  Eden,  shall  enjoy  their  fill 
Of  bliss  on  bliss  ;  while  I  to  Ilell  am  thrust, 
Where  neither  joy  nor  love,  but  fierce  desire, 
"  Amongst  our  other  torments  not  the  least,  510 

Still  unfulfilled  with  pain  of  longing  pines. 
^  Yet  let  me  not  forget  what  I  have  gained 
^   From  their  own  mouths  :  all  is  not  theirs  it  seems  ; 
Ni    One  fatal  tree  there  stands  of  knowledge  called, 
>>  Forbidden  them  to  taste.      Knowledge  forbidden  ? 
I       ^  Suspicious,  reasonless.      Why  should  their  Lord      616 
;       ^vEnvy  them  that  ?  can  it  be  sin  to  know  ? 
"■V      ..^  Can  it  be  death  ?  and  do  they  only  stand 
'^'**     "^sBy  ignorance  ?  is  that  their  happy  state, 
5      y  J  ^he  proof  of  their  obedience  and  their  fiiith  ?  530 

i     ^10  fair  foundation  laid  whereon  to  build 
5»^      ■'^5  Their  ruin  !   Hence  I  will  excite  their  minds 
^  With  more  desire  to  know,  and  to  reject 

500.  impregns,  makes  fruitful    glance.  —  plained,    complained 
or  fertilizing  ,  impregnates.  murmured. 

504    askance,  with  sideway 


Book  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  115 

Envious  commands,  invented  with  design 

To  keep  them  low,  whom  knowletlge  might  exalt     526 

Equal  with  gods ;  aspiring  to  be  such. 

They  taste  and  die :  what  likelier  can  ensue  ?  — 

But  first  with  narrow  seai^h  I  must  walk  round 

This  garden,  and  no  corner  leave  unspied ; 

A  chance  but  chance  may  lead  where  I  may  meet    o^J 

Some  wandering  spirit  of  Heaven,  by  fountain  side 

Or  in  thick  shade  retired,  from  him  to  draw 

What  further  would  be  learned.     Live  while  ye  may, 

Yet  happy  pair  ;  enjoy,  till  I  return, 

Short  pleasures,  for  long  woes  are  to  succeed."        535 

So  saying,  his  proud  step  he  scornful  turned 
j^jfy^rjj^'^     But  with  sly  circumspection,  and  began, 
'^x*"  Through  wood,  through  waste,  o'er  hill,  o'er  dale,  his 

"■""  roam. 

Meanwhile  in  utmost  longitude,  where  heaven 
With  earth  and  ocean  meets,  the  setting  sun  640 

Slowly  descended,  and  with  right  aspe'ct 
Against  the  eastern  gate  of  Paradise 
Levelled  his  evening  rays  :  it  was  a  rock 
■^^  Of  alabaster,  piled  up  to  the  clouds, 

'^       J  Conspicuous  far,  winding  with  one  ascent  545 

A  ^.,€   Accessible  from  earth,  one  entrance  high ; 
,j^^^%  The  rest  was  craggy  cliff,  that  overhung 
^ .  "^  Still  as  it  rose,  impossible  to  climb. 
^  ^">^ Betwixt  these  rocky  pillars  Gabriel  sat, 
"""^         Chief  of  the  angelic  guai'ds,  awaiting  night :  650 

About  him  exercised  heroic  games 
^The  unarmed  youth  of  Heaven  ;  but  nigh  at  hand 

627.  ichat  likelier  can   ensue?  541.  with  ri^ht  aspect^  ynth  ^• 

what  is  more  likely  to  be  the  con-  rect  look  ;  directlj^  opposite, 

•equeuce?  5-12.   Ai^ninst  the  enstfrn  gate. 

530.  A  chance  but,  there  is  a  It  could  have  been  only  against 

thance  that.    '  the  inner  side  of  the  eastern  gate, 

539.  (71  utmost  longitude,  in  the  that  the  setting  su7i  levelled   his 

ferthefit  or  extreme  west.  evening  rays. 

543.   levelled,  cast  horizontally 


1  iT 


116  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IV 

Celestial  armory,  shields,  helms,  and  spears, 
Hung  high  with  diamond  ilaming  and  with  gold. 
Thither  came  Uriel,  gliding  through  the  even  gU 

On  a  sunbeam,  «wift  as  a  shooting  star 
In  autumn  thwarts  the  night,  when  vapors  fired 
Impress  the  air,  and  shows  the  mariner 
From  what  point  of  his  compass  to  beware 
Impetuous  winds  :  he  thus  began  in  haste  :  6O0 

"  Gabriel,  to  thee  thy  course  by  lot  bath  given 
Charge  and  strict  watcli,  that  to  this  happy  place 
No  evil  thing  approach  or  enter  in. 
This  day  at  height  of  noon  came  to  my  sphere 
A  Spirit,  zealous,  as  he  seemed,  to  know  665 

More  of  the  Almighty's  works,  and  chiefly  Man, 
God's  latest  image :   I  described  his  way 
Bent  all  on  speed,  and  marked  his  aery  gait ; 
But  in  the  mount  that  lies  from  Eden  north, 
Where  he  first  lighted,  soon  discerned  his  looks       570 
Alien  from  Heaven,  with  passions  foul  obscured  : 
Mine  eye  pin-sued  him  still,  but  under  shade 
Lost  sight  of  him.      One  of  the  banished  crew, 
I  fear,  hath  ventured  from  the  deep  to  raise 
New  troubles ;  him  thy  care  must  be  to  find."         578 

To  whom  the  winged  warrior  thus  returned : 
''  Uriel,  no  wonder  if  thy  perfect  sight. 
Amid  the  sun's  bright  circle  where  thou  sitt'st, 
See  far  and  wide.     In  at  this  gate  none  pass 
The  vigilance  here  placed,  but  such  as  come  580 

Well  known  from  Heaven  ;  and  since  meridian  hour 
No  creature  thence :  if  spirit  of  other  sort, 

555.  the  even,  the  evening  sky.  5G4-567.  See  III.  613-680.— rf»> 

557.  thwarts  the  ni^ht,  shoots  scribtrJ   his   tcay,   described    th« 

ncross  or  through  the  dai-kness.  way  to  him. 

•558.  Impress,   mark  ;    make  a  569-573.  See  lines  114-130. 

tray  upon.  580.  vigilance,  guard  ;  waiicb 

661.   Course.    See  1  Chronicles 
coii.-xxvi.,  and  Luke  i.  8, 9. 


Book  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  117 

'f  So  minded,  have  o'erleaped  these  earthy  bounds 

On  purpos<i,  hard  thou  know'st  it  to  exclude 
Spiritual  substance  with  corporeal  bar.  686 

But  if  within  the  circuit  of  these  walks 
^  In  whatsoever  shape  he  lurk  of  whom 

Thou  tell'st,  by  morrow  dawning  I  shall  know.'* 

^-  So  promised  he  ;  and  Uriel  to  his  charge 

rt*-  .r^^^*^*-*  Returned  on  that    bright    beam,    whose   point    now 
iK  £<*^^  raised  590 

Bore  him  slope  downward  to  the  sun,  now  fallen 
Beneath  the  Azores  ;  whetlier  the  prime  orb, 
Incredible  how  swift,  had  thither  rolled 
Diurnal,  or  tliis  less  voliibll  earth, 
By  shorter  flight  to  the  east,  had  left  him  there,      595 
Arraying  with  reflected  purple  and  gold 
^he  clouds  that  on  his  western  throne  attend. 

Now  came  still  evening  on,  and  twilight  gray 
Had  in  her  sober  livery  all  things  clad  ; 
Silence  accompanied;  for  beast  and  bird,  600 

They  to  their  grassy  couch,  these  to  their  nests, 
'  Were  slunk,  all  but  the  wakeful  nightingale  ; 

She  all  night  long  her  amorous  descant  sung ; 
Silence  was  pleased  :  now  glowed  the  firmament 
With  living  sapphires  ;  Hesperus  that  led  505 

The  starry  host  rode  brightest ;  till  the  moon, 
Rising  in  clouded  majesty,  at  length 

587.  he  of  whom   thou   tellest  motion  round  the  earth,  as  was 

lurk  in  any  shape,  whatever  it  anciently  supposed,  or,  according 

P5V  i,e.  to  the  modern  system  of  Astron- 

590.  lohose  point   now  rm'serl.  omy.   of  the  turning  of  the  hss 

As  the   sun  had  set.  its   beams  roli^hi!  earth  on  its  a.\is  e-Astv/'Ard. 

were  no   long:er  horizontal,  but  If  the  former,  it  was   the   prime 

now  striking  upwards.  orh,  or  Primum  Mobile  {.see  III. 

592.  the    Azores,    or    Western  481-1S3),  that  caused  the  motion 

Islands,  in  the  Atlantic   Ocean,  of  the  sun. —/''w  ro/M6<7,  moving 

due  west  from  Mesopotamia.  through  less  space. 

592-595.  The  sun  had  set,in  con-  605.  Hesperus,  the  evening  star 

sequence  either  of  its  own  diurnal  seen  in  the  west. 


Vi 


118  PARADISE  LOST.  [Boon  IT. 

A.pparent  queen  unveiled  her  peerless  light, 
^nd  o'er  the  dark  her  silver  mantle  threw  ; 
When  Adam  thus  to  Eve :  "  Fair  consort,  the  hour 
Of  night,  and  all  things  now  retired  to  rest,  611 

Mind  ns  of  like  repose,  since  God  hath  set 
Labor  and  rest,  as  day  and  night,  to  men 
Successive;  and  the  timely  dew  of  sleep, 
f\      ly'       Now  falling  with  soft  slumbrous  weight,  inclines    6iS 
Our  eyelids :  other  creatures  all  day  long 
Rove  idle,  unemployed,  and  le?s  need  rest : 
Man  hath  his  daily  work  of  body  or  mind 
Appointed,  which  declares  his  dignity, 
And  the  regard  of  Heaven  on  all  his  ways ;  620 

While  other  animals  unactive  range, 
And  of  their  doings  God  takes  no  account. 
To-morrow,  ere  fresh  morning  streak  the  east 
With  first  approach  of  light,  we  must  be  risen. 
And  at  our  pleasant  labor,  to  reform  625 

Yon  flowery  arbors,  yonder  alleys  green. 
Our  walk  at  noon,  with  branches  overgrown, 
That  mock  our  scant  manuring,  and  require 
More  hands  than  ours  to  lop  their  wanton  growth  : 
Those  blossoms  also  and  those  dropping  gums  630 

That  lie  bestrown,  unsightly  and  unsmooth. 
Ask  riddance,  if  we  mean  to  tread  with  ease  ; 
Meanwhile,  as  nature  wills,  night  bids  us  rest." 

To  whom  thus  Eve,  with  perfect  beauty  adorned : 
'•  My  author  and  disposer,  what  thou  bidd'st  68{ 

Unargued  I  obey,  so  God  ordains  : 
God  IS  thy  TawT'thou  mine  ;  to  know  no  more 
Is  woman's  happiest  knowledge  and  her  praise. 

608.  Apparent,  manifest ;   e\i-  628.  mnnvrins;,  manoeuyering 

dent.  ■working  with  the  hand. 

615.  inclines,  weighs  down.  632.  ask,   require.  —  riddance 

625.  re/orm,  fonxL  anew ;  re-ar-  clearance. 

range.  637.  ihoii  mine.    See  line  299 


Book  IV  ]  PARADISE  LOST.  1 U 

With  thee  conversing  I  forget  all  time  ; 

All  seasons  and  their  change,  all  please  alike.  640 

Sweet  is  the  breath  of  morn,  her  rising  sweet, 

With  charm  of  earliest  birds  ;  pleasant  the  sun, 

When  first  on  this  delightful  land  he  spreads 

His  orient  beams,  on  herb,  tree,  fruit,  and  flower, 

Glistering  with  dew  ;  fragi-ant  the  fertile  earth        64fj 

After  soft  showers ;  and  sweet  the  coming  on 

Of  grateful  evening  mild  ;  then  silent  night, 

With  this  her  solemn  bird  and  this  fair  moon. 

And  these  the  gems  of  heaven,  her  starry  train : 

But  iiL'itbcr  breath  of  morn  when  she  ascends  650 

With  charm  of  earliest  birds,  nor  rising  sun 

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

Glistering  with  dew,  nor  fragrance  after  showers, 

Nor  grateful  evening  mild,  nor  silent  night 

With  this  her  solemn  bird,  nor  walk  by  mooa  655 

Or  glittering  starlight,  without  thee  is  sweet. 

But  w^herefore  all  night  long  shine  these  ?  for  whom 

This  glorious  sight,  when  sleep  hath  shut  all  eyes  ?  " 

To  whom  our  general  ancestor  replied  : 
"  Daughter  of  God  and  Man,  accomplished  Eve,      660 
These  have  their  course  to  finish  round  the  earth 
By  morrow  evening,  and  from  land  to  land 
In  order,  though  to  nations  yet  unborn. 
Ministering  light  prepared,  they  set  and  rise  ; 
Lest  total  darkness  should  by  night  regain  665 

Her  old  possession,  and  extinguish  life 
(n  nature  and  all  things,  which  these  soft  fires 
Not  only  enlighten,  but  with  kindly  heat 
Of  various  influence  foment  and  warm. 
Temper  or  nourish,  or  in  part  shed  down  670 

Their  stellar  virtue  on  all  kinds  that  o-row 


642.  charm^  chorus  ;  song.  680.    accomplished,   perfected  : 

647.  grateful,  pleasing.  endowed  with  all  gifts. 

648.  licT  sole7nn  bird.     See  line  671.  stellar  virtue,  influence  of 
?02.  the  stars,  which,  u>  the  days  oi 


120  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IV. 

On  earth,  made  hereby  apter  to  receive 
Perfection  from  the  sun's  more  potent  ray  ; 
These  then,  though  unbeheld  in  deep  of  night, 
Slilne  not   in   vain.      Nor   thnik,  though   men    were 
none,  675 

That  heaven  would  Avant  spectators,  God  Avant  praL^i : 
Millions  of  spiritual  creatures  walk  the  earth 
Unseen,  both  Avhen  we  wake  and  when  we  sleep ; 
All  these  with  ceaseless  praise  his  Avorks  behold 
Both  day  and  night.      Hoav  often  from  the  steep     680 
Of  echoing  hill  or  thicket,  have  Ave  heard 
Celestial  voices  to  the  midnight  air, 
Sole,  or  responsive  each  to  other's  note. 
Singing  the  great  Creator  !  oft  in  bands  684 

While  they  keep  Avatch,  or  nightly  rounding  Avalk, 
AVith  heavenly  touch  of  instrumental  sounds 
In  full  harmonic  number  joined,  their  songs 
_pivlde  the  night  and  lift  our  thoughts  to  Heaven." 

Thus  talking,  hand  in  hand  alone  they  passed 
On  to  their  blissful  bower  :  it  Avas  a  place  690 

Chosen  by  the  sovran  planter,  Avhen  he  framed 
All  things  to  Man's  delightful  use :  the  roof 
Of  thickest  covert  Avas  iuAvovcn  shade, 
Laurel  and  myrtle,  and  what  higher  grcAv 
Of  firm  and  fragrant  leaf;  on  either  side  695 

Acanthus  and  each  odorous  bushy  shrub 
Fenced  up  the  verdant  Avail  ;  each  beauteous  flower, 
tris  all  hues,  roses  and  jessamine, 
cleared    high    their  flourished    heads    between,   and 

wrought 
Mosaic  ;  underfoot  the  violet,  .  70c 

Crocus,  and  hyacinth,  Avith  rich  inlay 

astrology,  were  suppofsed  to  have  698.  all  hues,  of  all  hues, 

power  over  things  on  the  earth.  699.  Jioiirisherl,    adorned  witli 

688.  Divi'h   the   ni^ht.      In  a  flower.s. — wrought,  made  by  their 

Roman  camp  the  night  was  di-  different  colors, 

fided  into  watches  by  the  sound  701.  inlarj,  inlaid  work, 
of  trumpets. 


BooKlV.]  PARADISE  LOST,  121 

Broidered  tlic  ground,  more  colored  than  -with  stone 

Of  costliest  emblem  :  other  creatm-e  here, 

Beast,  bird,  insect,  or  worm,  durst  enter  none, 

Such  was  their  awe  of  Man.     In  shadier  bower        706 

More  sacred  and  sequestered,  though  but  feigned, 

Pan  or  Sylvanus  never  slept,  nor  Nymph 

Nor  Faunus  haunted.     Here,  in  close  recess, 

With  flowers,  garlands,  and  sweet  smelling  herbs, 

Espoused  Eve.  decked  first  her  nuptial  bed  ;  710 

And  heavenly  quires  the  hymcnasan  sung, 

What  day  the  genial  angel  to  our  sire 

Brought  her,  in  naked  beauty  more  adorned, 

More  lovely  than  Pandora,  whom  the  gods 

Endowed  with  all  their  gifts,  and  O  too  like  715 

In  sad  event !  when  to  the  unwiser  son 

Of  Japhet  brought  by  Hermes  she  ensnared 

Mankind  with  her  fair  looks,  to  be  avenged 

On  him  who  had  stole  Jove's  authentic  fire. 

Thus  at  their  shady  lodge  arrived,  both  stood,      720 
Both  turned,  and  under  open  sky  adored 
The  God  that  made  both  sky,  air,  earth,  and  heaven 
Which  they  beheld,  the  moon's  resplendent  globe, 
And  starry  pole  :  "  Thou  also  mad'st  the  night, 
Maker  omnipotent !  and  thou  the  day,  725 

703.  emblem^  inlaid  or  mosaic  first  woman,  Pandora  (all-gift- 
work  ed),  on  whom  the  gods  had  con- 

707.    Fan.     See  line  266.  —  5/Z-  ferred  every  charm.     Wnnes^ox 

vanus  was  a  rural  god,  who  pre-  Mercury,  brought  her  to  Eijima- 

lidcd  over   woods   and   fields.—  theus,  the  vnivisei- son  of  Japhet, 

iVy??!^.  The  Nymphs  were  female  who,  despite  the  warnmg  of  his 

divinities,  some  of  whom  dwelt  in  brother  Prometheus,  took  her  to 


|rovcs  and  trees. 


She  had  brought  with  her 


708    Faunus   was   the   god  of  from  heaven  a  box  containing  all 

fields  b.nd  shepherds.  the   ills   that    afflict    humanity. 

711.  hymen^nn.  nuptial  song.  When  the  box  was  opened,  these 

714-719.    Prometheus,   son   of  es.aped    and     spread    over    the 

lapotus  or  Japhet,  stole  fire  from  earth,    Hope    alone     remammg 

heaven,  Jove's  authentic  f.re,  for  This  was  the  sad  event,  or  con- 

the  use  of  mortals.     In  revenge,  sequence.  —  authentic,  of  which 

Jupiter   sent   to   earth,    for    the  he  was  the  author, 
uiisery   of  the  human  race,  tho 


122  PARADISE  LOST.  'Book IV 

Wlilch  we  in  our  appointed  work  employed 

Have  finished,  bappy  in  our  mutual  help 

And  mutual  love,  the  crown  of  all  our  bliss. 

Ordained  by  thee  ;  and  this  delicious  place 

For  us  too  large,  where  thy  abundance  wants  780 

Partakers,  and  uncropt  falls  to  the  ground. 

But  ^liou  hast  promised  from  us  two  a  race 

To  fill  the  earth,  who  shall  with  us  extol 

Thy  goodness  infinite,  both  when  we  Avake, 

And  when  we  seek,  as  now,  thy  gift  of  sleep."         736 

This  said  unanimous,  and  other  rites 
Observing  none,  but  adoration  pure 
■  Which  God  likes  best,  into  their  inmost  bower 
Handed  they  went ;  and,  eased  the  putting  off 
These  troublesome  disguises  which  we  wear,  740 

Straight    side    by    side    were    laid  ;    nor    turned,    I 

ween, 
Adam  from  his  fair  spouse,  nor  Eve  the  rites 
Mysterious  of  connubial  lovo  refused  ; 
Whatever  hypocrites  austerely  talk 
Of  purity,  and  place,  and  innocence,  745 

Defaming  as  impure  what  God  declares 
Pure,  and  commands  to  some,  leaves  free  to  all. 
Our  Maker  bids  increase  ;  who  bids  abstain 
But  our  destroyer,  foe  to  God  and  Man  ? 
Hail,  wedded  love  !  mysterious  law,  true  source      750 
Of  human  offspring,  sole  propriety 
In  Paradise  of  all  things  common  else. 
By  thee  adulterous  lust  was  driven  from  men 
Among  the  bestial  herds  to  range;  by  thee, 
Founded  in  reason,  loyal,  just  and  pure,  755 

Relations  dear,  and  all  the  charities 
Of  father,  son,  and  brother,  first  were  known. 

731.  uncropt^  ungathered.  739.  handed^  hand  in  hand.' 

735.  ihy  gift.     "  He  giveth  his    eased.,  spared, 
beloved  sleep.  '    Psalm  cxxvii.  2.        751.  'propriety^  property. 


RooKlY.]  PARADISE  LOS'I.  123 

Far  be  it,  that  I  should  write  tliee  sin  or  blame, 
Or  think  thee  unbefitting  holiest  jilace, 
Perpetual  fountain  of  domcstie  sweets,  760 

Whose  bed  is  undefiled  and  chaste  pronounced, 
Present  or  past,  as  saints  and  patriarchs  used. 
Here  Love  his  golden  shafts  employs,  here  lights 
His  constant  lamp,  and  waves  his  purple  wings. 
Reigns  here  and  revels  ;  not  in  the  bought  smile     765 
Of  harlots,  loveless,  joyless,  unendeared. 
Casual  fruition ;  nor  in  court  amours. 
Mixed  dance,  or  wanton  mask,  or  midnight  ball, 
Or  serenate,  which  the  starved  lover  sings 
To  his  proud  feir,  best  quitted  with  disdain.  770 

These,  lulled  by  nightingales,  embracing  slept, 
And  on  their  naked  limbs  the  flowery  roof 
Showered  roses,  which  the  morn  repaired.     Sleep  on. 
Blest  pair ;  and  O  yet  happiest  if  ye  seek 
_  No  happier  state,  and  know  to  know  no  more  !       775 

Now  had  Night  measured  with  her  shadowy  cone 
^^    ""   I  Half-way  up  hill  this  vast  sublunar  vault, 

fj^A"*-^  And  from  their  i^'ory  port  the  Cherubim 

X        Off  Forth  issuing  at  the  accustomed  hour,  stood  armed 

.-,-^^  To  their  night  watches  in  warlike  parade,  780 

When  Gabriel  to  his  next  in  power  thus  spake  : 

•'  U::ziel,  half  these  draw  off,  and  coast  the  south 
With  strictest  watch  ;  these  other  wheel  the  north  ; 
Our  circuit  meets  full  west."  —  As  flame  they  part, 
Half  wheeling  to  the  sk'eld,  half  to  the  spear.         'm 

769.  serenate,  from  the  Italian  zenith.     If  the  day    and  ijght 

'serenata,"  serenade.  were  each  twelve  hours  lon^,  this 

776.  shailoicij  cone.    The  shad-  would  be  half  way  between  sun- 
I  w  of  the  earth  is  cone-shaped,  set  aud  midnight. 

khe   sun  being  the  larger  body.        779.  port,  gate. 

This  moves  as  the  sun  (properly,        783.    wheel,     more     round. - 

'he  eartli)  moves.  these   other  were    under  Gabriel 

777.  Half  loay  up    hill,  half  himself. 

\\..j    from    the    horizon    to    the        "So.  Half  wheeling  to  the  shield, 


121  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IV 

From  these,  two  strong  and  subtle  spirits  lie  called 
That  near  him  stood,  and  gave  them  thus  in  charge : 

"  Ithuriel  and  ^ejihori^  with  winged  sjieed 
Search  through  this  garden,  leave  unsearched  no  nook 
But  chiefly  where  those  two  fair  creatures  lodge,     79( 
Now  laid  perhaps  asleep,  secure  of  harm. 
This  evening  from  the  sun's  decline  arrived 
Who  tells  of  some  infernal  spirit  seen 
Hitherward  bent  (who  could  have  thought  ?),  escaped 
The  bars  of  Plell,  on  errand  bad   no  doubt :  795 

Such,  where  ye  find,  seize  fast  and  hither  brino." 

So  saying,  on  he  led  his  radiant  files. 
Dazzling  the  moon  ;  these  to  the  bower  direct 
In  search  of  whom   they  sought :    him    there    tbey 

found, 
Squat  like  a  toad,  close  at  the  ear  of  Eve,  800 

Ij^  Assapng  by  his  devilish  art  to  reach 

The  organs  of  her  fancy,  and  w^ith  them  forge 

Illusions  as  he  list,  phantasms  and  dreams  ; 

Or  if,  inspiring  venom,  he  might  taint 

The  animal  spirits  that  from  pure  blood  arise  SuS 

Like  gentle  breaths  from  rivers  pure,  thence  raise 

At  least  distempered,  discontented  thoughts, 

Vain  hopes,  vain  aims,  inordinate  desires. 

Blown  up  with  high  conceits  ingendering  pride. 

Him  thus  intent  Ithuriel  with  his  spear  81C 

Touched  lightly  ;  for  no  falsehood  can  endure 

Touch  of  celestial  temper,  but  returns 

or  left,  shields  beiug  worn  on  the  793.   Who,  one  who.     See  lines 

left  arm,  and  half  to  the  spear,  or  549-575. 

right  hand,  in  which  the  spear  798.  these  (see  line  786),  these 

•yascan-ied.  proceeded. 

<86.  these,     these     other,    who  799.  whom,  him  whom, 

wheeled  to    the  right.  —  5J<6i/e,  804.  yrt5;>(Wnf,  breathing  in. 

quick  to  observe.  803.  raise,  might  rai.-^e. 

<81.  secure  of,  without  anxiety  812.  celestial    temper.      See    1 

or  care  on  account  of;  free  from  285. 
the  fear  of. 


Book  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  125 

Of  force  to  Its  own  likeness  ;  up  he  starts, 

Discovered  and  surprised.      As  when  a  spark 

Lights  on  a  heap  of  nitrous  powder,  laid  816 

Fit  for  the  tun  some  magazine  to  store 

Against  a  rumored  war,  the  smutty  grain 

With  sudden  blaze  diffused  inflames  the  air  ; 

So  started  up  in  his  own  shape  the  Fiend. 

Back  stepped  those  two  fair  angels,  half  amazed      S20 

So  sudden  to  behold  the  grisly  king  ; 

Yet  thus,  unmoved  with  fear,  accost  him  soon  : 

"  Which  of  those  rebel  spirits  adjudged  to  Hell 
Com'st  thou,  escaped  thy  prison  ?  and  transformed 
Why  sat'st  thou  like  an  enemy  in  wait,  825 

Here  watching  at  the  head  of  these  that  sleep  ?  " 

"  Know  ye  not  then,"  said  Satan,  filled  with  scorn, 
"  Know  ye  not  me  ?  ye  kncAv  me  once  no  mate 
For  you,  tliere  sitting  where  ye  durst  not  soar  : 
Not  to  know  me  argues  yourselves  unknown,  830 

The  lowest  of  your  throng  ;  or  if  ye  know, 
Why  ask  ye,  and  superfluous  begin 
Your  message,  like  to  end  as  much  in  vain  ?  " 

To  whom  thus  /^ephon,  answering  scorn  with  scorn  ; 
"  Think  not,  levolted  Spirit,  thy  shape  the  same,   S35 
Or  undiminished  brightness,  to  be  known 
As  when  thou  stood'st  in  Heaven  upright  and  pure  : 
That  glory  then,  when  thou  no  more  wast  good, 
Depaj'ted  from  thee,  and  thou  resemblest  now 
Thy  sin  and  place  of  doom  obscure  and  foul.  S40 

But  come  ;  for  thou,  be  sure,  shalt  give  account 

813.   Of/orce,  of  necessity.  835,836.  Think  not  thy  shape 

816.  Fit  for  the  tun,  ready  to    the  same,  or  thy  brightness  uu- 
be  put  iuto  casks.  diminished,  so  that  tliou  sliouldst 

817.  stnutly  grain,  gunpowder,    be  known.  —  This  seems  the  best 
830.  argues,  proves.  rendering. 


126  PA  RAD  IS?:  LOST.  [Boor.  IV 

To  him  wlio  sent  us,  wlio?e  charge  Is  to  keep 
This  place  inviolable,  and  these  from  harm." 

So  spake  the  Cherub  ;  and  his  grave  rebuke, 
i^evere  in  youthful  beauty,  added  grace  8« 

Invincible  :  abashed  the  Devil  stood, 
And  felt  how  awful  goodness  is,  and  saw 
Virtue  in  her  shape  how  lovely  ;  saw,  and  pined 
His  loss ;  but  chiefly  to  find  here  observed 
His  lustre  visibly  impaired  ;  yet  seemed  8fi0 

Undaunted.     "  If  I  must  contend,"  said  he, 
■•'  Best  with  the  best,  the  sender  not  the  sent. 
Or  all  at  once ;  more  glory  will  be  won, 
Or  less  be  lost."     "  Thy  fear,"  said  Zephon  bold, 
"  Will  save  us  trial  what  the  least  can  do  855 

Single  against  thee  wicked,  and  thence  weak." 

The  Fiend  replied  not,  overcome  with  rage ; 
But  like  a  proud  steed  reined  went  haughty  on, 
Champing  his  iron  curb  :  to  strive  or  fly 
He  held  it  vain  ;  awe  from  above  had  quelled         860 
His  heart,  not  else  dismayed.     Now  drew  they  nigh 
The  western  point,  where  those  half-rounding  guards 
Just  met,  and  closing  stood  in  squadron  joined. 
Awaiting  next  command.      To  whom  their  chief, 
Gabriel,  from  the  front  thus  called  aloud  :  86S 

"  O  friends,  I  hear  the  tread  of  nimble  feet 
Hasting  this  way,  and  noAv  by  glimpse  discern 
(thuriiil  and  Zephon  through  the  shade ; 
And  with  them  comes  a  third  of  regal  port 
But  laded  splendor  wan,  who  by  his  gait  870 

849.  chie/I>/.  chiefly  pined.  855.  trial,  the   trial  or  trying 

850.  His  lustre,  that  his  lustre    of. 

was.  869.  port,  bearing. 

852.  It  is  liest  to  contend  ;  or 
perhaps  let  the  best  contend. 


B.-OKlV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  127 

And  fierce  demeanor  seems  the  Prince  of  Hell, 
Not  likely  to  part  hence  without  contest ; 
Stand  firm,  for  in  his  look  defiance  lours." 

He  scarce  had  ended,  when  those  two  approached, 
And  brief  related  whom  they  brought,  where  found, 
How  busied,  in  what  form  and  posture  couched.      S76 

To  whom  with  stern  regard  thus  Gabriel  spake : 
•'  Why  hast  thou,  Satan,  broke  the  bounds  prescribed 
To  thy  transgressions,  and  disturbed  the  charge 
Of  others,  who  approve  not  to  transgress  880 

By  thy  example,  but  have  power  and  right 
To  question  thy  bold  entrance   on  this  place  ; 
Employed  it  seems  to  violate  sleep,  and  those 
Whose  dwelling  God  hath  planted  here  in  bliss  ?  " 

To  whom  thus  Satan  with  contemi)tuous  brow  :  885 
"  Gabriel,  thou  hadst  in  Heaven   the  esteem  of  wise, 
And  such  I  held  thee ;  but  this  question  asked 
Puts  me  in  doubt.      Lives  there  who  loves  his  pain  ? 
Who  would  not,  finding  way,  break  loose  from  Hell, 
Though  thither  doomed  ?      Thou  wouldst  thyself,  no 
doubt,  890 

And  boldly  venture  to  whatever  place 
Farthest  from  pain,    where    thou    might'st    hope    to 

change 
Torment  with  ease,  and  soonest  recompense 
Dole  with  delight,  which  In  this  place  I  sought ; 
To  thee  no  reason,  who  know'st  only  good,  896 

But  evil  hast  not  tried  ;  and  wilt  object 

873.  lours,  lowers.  893.  recompense.,  compensate. 

877.  regard,  look.  894.  Dole,  pain  ;  grief. 

S80.  approve  not,  do  not  think  895.   To  thee  no  reason,  this  \s 

it  rio;ht.  to  th(ie  no  reason. 

8S6.  hadst  the  esteem  of  wise.,  896.  «'//f  o6/ec^,  wilt  thju  bring 

•yast  esteemed  wise.  as  an  objection. 

888.  who,  any  who. 


1 28  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IV 

His  will  who  bound  us  ?  Let  him  surer  bar 

His  iron  gates,  if  he  intends  our  stay 

In  that  dark  durance.      Thus  much  what  was  asked  ; 

The  rest  is  true,  they  found  me  where  they  say  ;     90C 

But  that  implies  not  violence  or  harm." 

Thus  he  in  scorn.     The  warlike  angel  moved, 
Disdainfully  half-smiling,  thus,  replied  : 
"  O  loss  of  one  in  Heaven  to  judge  of  wise, 
Since  Satan  fell !  whom  folly  overflirew,  ■    905 

And  now  returns  him  from  his  prison  scaped, 
Gravely  in  doubt  whether  to  hold  them  wise 
Or  not,  Avho  ask  what  boldness  brought  him  hither 
Unlicensed  from  his  bounds  in  Hell  prescribed ; 
So  wise  he  judges  it  to  fly  from  pain  910 

However,  and  to  scape  his  punishment ! 
So  judge  thou  still,  presumptuous,  till  the  wrath, 
Which  thou  incurr'st  by  flying,  meet  'thy  flight 
Sevenfold,  and  scourge  that  wisdom  back  to  Hell, 
Which  taught  thee  yet  no  better,  that' no  pain         915 
Can  equal  anger  infinite  provoked.  , 
But  wherefore  thou  alone  ?  Avherefore  with  thee 
Came  not  all  Hell  broke  loose  ?  is  pain  to  them 
Less  pain,  less  to  be  fled  ?  or  thou  than  they 
Less  hardy  to  endure  ?      Courageous  chief !  920 

The  first  in  flight  from  pain,  hadst  thou  alleged 
To  thy  deserted  host  this  cause  of  flight, 
Thou  surely  hadst  not  come  sole  fugitive." 

To  which  the  Fiend  thus  answered,  frowning  stern  : 
*'  Not  that  I  less  endure,  or  shrink  from  pain,  925 

lus'.iltlntr  ancrel  ;  well  thou  know'st  I  stood 


897.  Perhaps  not  interrogative.  904.  o/"it)/se,  who  are  wise 

8!W.  what,  for  what;  in  reply  Ltll.    However^    in     any    wajT 

k  what.  whatever. 

902.  nioff',  stirred  in   spirit;  916.  (qual,  he  equal  to. 

BXCit*-!!. 


Book  IV.]  PARADISE  LOST.  129 

Thy  fiercest,  Avhen  in  battle  to  tliy  aid 

The  blasting  volleyed  thunder  made  all  speed, 

And  seconded  thy  else  not  dreaded  spear. 

But  still  thy  words  at  random,  as  before,  93C 

Argue  thy  inexperience  what  behooves. 

From  hard  assays  and  ill  successes  past, 

A  fiiithful  leader,  not  to  hazard  all 

Through  .ways  of  danger  by.  himself  untried. 

1  therefore,  I  alone,  first  undertook  936 

To  wing  the  desolate  abyss,  and  spy 

This  new  created  world,  whereof  in  Hell 

Fame  is  not  silent,  here  in  hope  to  find 

Better  abode,  and  my  afflicted  Powers 

To  settle  here  on  earth,  or  in  mid-air  ;  940 

Though  for  possession  put  to  try  once  more 

What  thou  and  thy  gay  legions  dare  against ; 

Whose  easier  business  were  to  serve  their  Lord 

High  up  in  Heaven,  Avith  spngs  to  hymn  his  throne, 

And  practised  distances  to  cringe,  not  fight."  945 

To  whom  the  warrior  angel  soon  replied  : 
"  To  say  and  straight  unsay,  pretending  first 
Wise  to  fly  pain,  professing  next  the  spy. 
Argues  no  leader,  but  a  liar  traced, 
Satan  !  and  couldst  thou  faithful  add  ?      O  name,    950 
O  sacred  name  of  faithfulness  protaned  ! 
Faithful  to  whom  ?  to  thy  rebellious  crew  ? 
Army  of  fiends,  fit  body  to  fit  head  ! 
Was  this  your  discipline  and  faith  engaged, 

927.   Thy  fiercest^   thy  fiercest    against,  dare  to  attempt  against 
attack  ;  the  fiercest  thou  couldst    us. 


do 


943.  were,  would  be. 


931.    Argue.     See  line  830.  —  945.  And   practised    distances, 

what   of  what.  such  distances  as  courtiers  prac- 

935'.  I  alone.     See  II.  420-457.  ti.^e   in   their  obeisances.  —  ifi/A 

939.  Powers.     See  I.  128,  186.  seems  to  govern  distances, 

941.  put,  put  to  it ;  forced  5  we  948.   Wise,  that  it  is  wise, 
should  be  forced.  949.     traced,    tracked;    found 

942.  gay,  bright ;   fine.  —  dare  out ;  clearly  shown. 


iaO  PARADISE  LOST.  [i^ooK  IV 

youi  military  obedience,  to  dissolve  361 

Alle^^iance  to  the  acknowledged  powei  supreme  ? 

And  thou,  sly  hypocrite,  who  now  wot  Idst  seem 

Patron  of  liberty,  who  more  than  thou 

Once  fawned  and  cringed,  and  servilely  adored 

Heaven's  awful  monarch  ?  wherefore,  but  In  hope    960 

To  dispossess  him,  and  thyself  to  reign  ? 

But  mark  Avhat  I  arreed  thee  now  —  Avaunt  ! 

Fly  thither  whence  thou  fledd'st :  If  from  this  hour 

Within  these  hallowed  limits  thou  appear, 

Back  to  the  infernal  pit  I  drag  thee  chained,  965 

And  seal  thee  so,  as  henceforth  not  to  scorn 

The  facile  gates  of  Hell,  too  slightly  barred." 

So  threatened  he  ;  but  Satan  to  no  threats 
Gave  heed,  but  waxing  more  in  rage  replied  : 

"  Then  when  I  am  thy  captive  talk  of  chains,      970 
Proud  limitary  Cherub  !    but  ere  then 
Far  heavier  load  thyself  expect  to  feel 
From  my  prevailing  arm,  though  Heaven's  king 
Ride  on  thy  wings,  and  thou  with  thy  compeers, 
Used  to  the  yoke,  draw'st  his  triumphant  wlieels      975 
In  progress  through  the  road  of  Heaven  star-paved." 

While  thus  he  spake,  the  angelic  squadron  bright 
Turned  fiery  red,  sharpening  in  mooned  horns 
Their  phalanx,  and  began  to  hem  him  round 
With  ported  spears,  as  thick  as  when  a  field  980 

Of  Ceres  ripe  for  harvest  waving  bends 
[l&c  bearded  groves  of  ears  which  way  the  wind 

962.  amed,  direct ;  appoint.         form  of  a  crescent,  like  the  new 

966.  seal.   See  Revelation  xx.  3.    moon. 

967.  facile^  easy  to  be  opened.  980.  ported^   borne  with   theii 
971.  limitanj,  set  to  guard  the    points  towards  him. 

limits.  981.    Ceres   (see   line  271)   wa* 

978.  in  mooned  horns,  in  the    the  goddess  of  agriculture. 


BOOK  17.]  PARADFSE  LOST.  131 

Sways  tliem  ;  the  careful  ploughman  doubting  stands^ 
Lest  on  the  threshing-floor  his  hopeful  sheaves 
Prove  chaff.      On  the  other  side,  Satan  alarmed,     985 
Collecting  all  his  might,  dilated  stood. 
Like  Teneriffe  or  Atlas  unremoved  : 
His  stature  reached  the  sky,  and  on  his  crest 
Sat  horror  plumed  ;  nor  wanted  in  his  grasp 
What  seemed  both  spear  and  shield.     Now  dreadful 
deeds  990 

Might  have  ensued,  nor  only  Paradise 
In  this  commotion,  but  the  starry  cope 
Of  heaven  perhaps,  or  all  the  elements 
At  least  had  gone  to  wrack,  disturbed  and  torn 
With  violence  of  this  conflict,  had  not  soon  995 

The  Eternal,  to  prevent  such  horrid  fray, 
Hung  forth  in  heaven  his  golden  scales,  yet  seen 
Betwixt  Astrea  and  the  Scorpion  sign. 
Wherein  all  things  created  first  he  weighed, 
The  pendulous  round  earth  with  balanced  air        lOOO 
In  counterpoise,  now  ponders  all  events, 
Battles  and  realms:  In  these  he  put  two  weights, 
The  sequel  each  of  parting  and  of  fight ; 
The  latter  quick  up  flew  and  kicked  the  beam, 
Which  Gabriel  spying  thus  bespakc  the  Fiend :      1005 

"  Satan,  I  know  thy  strength,  and  thou  know'st 
mine, 

985.  alnrmed,  routed.  depraved,     was     removed     from 

987.   Teneriffe  is  a  iiigh  peak  earth  to  heaven,  where  she  shiues 

oi   one  of   the   Canary    Islands,  as  the  constellation  Virgo. 

Atlas  is  a  range  of  mountains  in  999.  first  lie  weisrhc/J.   "Weigh- 

ihe  north  of  Africa. — unreinover/,  ed  the  mountains  in  scales,  and 

Immovable.  the  hills  in  a  balance."     Isaiah 

989.  ivanterl,  was  wanting.  xl.  12. 

997.  his  s:nlden  sca'es,yet'seen.  1001.  In  counterpoise,  vrelghei 
The  pign  Libra,  or  the  Balance,  against  each  other.  —  noio  pari' 
between  Virgo  and  Scorpio.  ders,  and  now  weighs. 

998.  AstrcRa  was  the  goddess  of  100-3.  The  sequH,  as  showing 
iii8tice,  who,  when  men  became  the  consequence  or  event. 


l82  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  I\ 

Neither  our  own,  but  given  ;  wliat  folly  then 

To  boast  what  arms  can  do  !   since  thine  no  n'ore 

Than  Heaven  permits,  nor  mine,  though  doubled  now 

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

And  read  thy  lot  in  yon  celestial  sign, 

Where  thou  art  weighed,  and  shown  how  light,  how 

weak. 
If  thou  resist."     The  Fiend  looked  up,  and  knew 
His  mounted  scale  aloft :  nor  more ;  but  lied  1014 

Murmuring,  and  with  him  fled  the  shades  of  night. 

1008.   Since    thine,    since    thy  1012.   Wiere  thou  art  loeighed, 

strength  can  do.  "  Thou  art  weighed  in  the  bal- 

lOOy.  nor  mine,  nor  can  mine.  an.ces,  and  art  found  wanting." 

—  though,  though  it  were.  Dan.  v.  27. 

l^m' trample  thee  as  mire.    See  1014.    nor   more,    nor    looked 

Ceaiah  x.  8.  more,  or  for  more. 


BOOK  V 

THE  ARGUSIENT. 

MORNiKO  approached,  Eve  relates  to  Adam  her  tioublesome  dream  , 
he  likes  it  not,  yet  comforts  her.  They  come  forth  to  their  lay- 
labors  ;  their  morniug  hymn  at  the  door  of  their  bower.  God,  to 
render  man  inexcusable,  sends  Raphael  to  admonish  him  of  his 
obedience  ;  of  his  free  estate ;  of  Ms  enemy  near  at  hand,  who  he 
is,  and  why  his  enemy  ;  and  whatever  else  may  avail  Adam  to 
know.  Raphael  comes  down  to  Paradise ;  his  appearance  de- 
scribed ;  his  coming  discerned  by  Adam  afar  off  sitting  at  the 
door  of  his  bower  ;  he  goes  out  to  meet  him,  brings  him  to  his 
lodge,  entertains  him  with  the  choicest  fruits  of  Paradise  got  to- 
gether by  Eve ;  their  discourse  at  table.  Raphael  performs  his 
message,  minds  Adam  of  his  state  and  of  his  enemy  ;  relates,  at 
Adam's  request,  who  that  enemy  is,  and  how  he  came  to  be  so, 
beginning  from  his  first  revolt  in  Heaven,  and  the  occasion  there- 
of ;  how  he  drew  his  legions  after  him  to  the  parts  of  the  north, 
and  there  incited  them  to  rebel  with  him,  persuading  all  but  only 
Abdiel,  a  seraph,  who  in  argument  dissuades  and  opposes  him, 
then  forsakes  him. 

Now  Morn,  her  rosy  steps  in  the  eastern  clime 
Advancing,  sowed  the  earth  with  orient  pearl, 
When  Adam  waked,  so  customed,  for  his  sleep 
Was  aery  light,  from  pure  digestion  bred 
And  temperate  vapors  bland,  which  the  only  sound 
Of  leaves  and  fuming  rills,  Aurora's  fan,  6 

Lightly  dispersed,  and  the  shrill  matin  song 

1.  Morn.    Aurora,  the  goddess  3.  so  customed,  as  was  his  ca8 

of  the  morning,  announced  the  torn. 

coming  of  the  sun,   and  opened  5.  iv/iic/i,  referring  to  sleep.  — 

the  gates  of  heaven  with  her  rosy  the  oiibj  sound,  the  sound  alone, 

fingers.    The  stars  fled  before  her  6.  fumiv^,  steaming  with   va- 

ae  she  scatt^jred  the  dew,  orient  por.  —  Aurora's  fan,  the  morning 

V^Mi'l  breeze,  implied  in  somul 


1 34  PARADISE  L  OS T.  [Book  V . 

Of  birds  on  every  bough  :  so  mucli  the  more 

His  wonder  was  to  find  unwakened  Eve 

With  tresses  discomposed  and  glowing  cheek,  10 

As  thi^ough  unquiet  rest :  he,  on  his  side 

Leaning  half  raised,  with  looks  of  cordial  love 

Hung  over  her  enamored,  and  beheld 

Beauty,  which,  whether  waknig  or  asleep, 

Shot  forth  peculiar  graces  ;  then,  Avith  voice  Ifi 

Mild  as  when  Zephyrus  on  Flora  breathes. 

Her  hand  soft  touching,  Avhispered  thus  :  "  Awake, 

My  fairest,  my  espoused,  my  latest  found. 

Heaven's  last  best  gift,  my  ever  new  delight. 

Awake  !  the  morning  shines,  and  the  fresh  field        2C 

Calls  us  ;  we  lose  the  prime,  to  mark  how  spring 

Our  tended  plants,  how  blows  the  citron  grove. 

What  drops  the  myrrh  and  what  the  balmy  reed, 

How  Nature  paints  her  colors,  how  the  bee 

Sits  on  the  bloom  extracting  liquid  sweet."  25 

Such  whispering  waked  her,  but  with  startled  eye 
On  Adam,  whom  embracing,  thus  she  spake : 

"  O  sole  in  whom  my  thoughts  find  all  repose, 
My  glory,  my  perfection,  glad  I  see 
Thy  face,  and  morn  returned ;  for  I  this  night  80 

,     .^   (Such  night  till  this  I  never  passed)  have  dreamed, 
""<  If  dreamed,  not,  as  I  oft  am  wont,  of  thee, 

,,    Works  of  day  past,  or  morrow's  next  design, 
*-C    But  of  offence  and  trouble,  which  my  mind 
^^S  Knew  never  till  this  irksome  night-     Methought       35 

V  Close  at  mine  ear  one  called  me  forth  to  walk 
i  ^    With  gentle  voice ;  I  thought  it  thine  :  it  said, 
^     \\'^hy  sleep'st  thou,  Eve  ?  now  is  the  pleasant  time, 

16.  Zephyru.t.    See  IV.  329.  —        21.  prime,  earliest  morning. 
Flora  was  the  goddess  of  flowers        23.  balmy,   bearing    balm    oi 
ind  f  pring.  balsam. 


Book  V. j  PARADISE  L  OS '1.  135 

The  cool,  the  silent,  save  where  silence  yields 

To  the  night-warbling  bird,  that  now  awake  40 

Tunes  sweetest  his  love-labored  song  ;  now  reigns 

Full  orbed  the  moon  and  with  more  pleasing  light 

Shadowy  sets  off  the  face  of  things  ;  in  vain, 

If  none  regard :  heaven  wakes  with  all  his  eyes, 

Whom  to  behold  but  thee,  Nature's  desire  ?  4c 

In  whose  sight  all  things  joy,  with  ravishment 

Attracted  by  thy  beauty  still  to  gaze.' 

I  rose  as  at  thy  call,  but  found  thee  not ; 

To  find  thee  I  directed  then  my  Avalk ; 

And  on,  methought,  alone  I  passed  through  ways      60 

That  brought  me  on  a  sudden  to  the  tree 

Of  interdicted  knowledge  :  foir  it  seemed, 

Much  fliirer  to  my  fancy  than  by  day ; 

And,  as  I  wondering  looked,  beside  it  stood 

One  shaped  and  winged  like  one  of  those  from  Heaven 

By  us  oft  seen :  his  dewy  locks  distilled  56 

Ambrosia  ;  on  that  tree  he  also  gazed  ; 

And,  '  0  ftiir  plant,'  said  he,  '  with  fruit  surcharged, 

Deigns  none  to  ease  thy  load  and  taste  thy  sweet, 

Nov  God,  nor  man  ?  is  knowledge  so  despised  ?        60 

Or  envy,  or  what  reserve  forbids  to  taste  ? 

Forbid  who  will,  none  shall  from  me  withhold 

I/onger  thy  offered  good,  Avhy  else  set  here  ? ' 

This  said,  he  paused  not,  but  with  venturous  arm 

He  phicked,  he  tasted  ;  me  damp  horror  chilled       65 

At  suoh  bold  words  vouched  with  a  deed  so  bold ; 

But  he  thus,  overjoyed  :  '  O  fruit  divine. 

Sweet  of  thyself,  but  much  more  sweet  thus  cropt, 

Forbidden  here,  it  seems,  as  only  fit 

For  gods,  yet  able  to  make  gods  of  men  ;  Vi 

•ind  why  not  gods  of  men,  since  good,  the  more 

h2.  interdicted,  foxUMen.    See        m.  vouched,    siippoited ;     fol- 
^encsis  ii.  16,  17.  lowed  up. 

ei.  Does  either  envy  or  some 
reserve  forbid  to  taste  ? 


136  PARADliit   LUai.  [Boos-V. 

Communicated,  more  abundant  grows, 

TTie  author  not  impaired,  but  honored  more  ? 

Here,  happy  creature,  fair  angelic  Eve, 

Partake  thou  also  ;  happy  though  thou  art,  76 

Happier  thou  mayst  be,  worthier  canst  not  be ; 

Taste  this,  and  be  henceforth  among  the  gods, 

Thyself  a  goddess,  not  to  earth  confined, 

But  sometimes  in  the  air,  as  we,  sometimes 

Ascend  to  Heaven,  by  merit  thine,  and  see  80 

What  life  the  gods  live  there,  and  such  live  thou.* 

So  Sctying,  he  drew  nigh,  and  to  me  held, 

Even  to  my  mouth  of  that  same  fruit  held  part 

Which  he  had  plucked ;  the  pleasant  savory  smell 

So  quickened  appetite,  that  I,  methought,  86 

Could  not  but  taste.      Forthwith  up  to  the  clouds 

With  him  I  flew,  and  underneath  beheld 

The  earth  outstretched  immense,  a  prospect  wide 

And  various  ;  wondering  at  my  flight  and  change 

To  this  high  exaltation,  suddenly  90 

My  guide  was  gone,  and  I,  methought,  sunk  down 

And  fell  asleep ;  but  O  how  glad  I  waked 

To  find  this  but  a  dream  !  "     Thus  Eve  her  night 

Related,  and  thus  Adam  answered  sad : 

\         "  Best  Image  of  myself  and  dearer  half,  36 

^  :     The  trouble  of  thy  thoughts  this  night  in  sleep 
Aflects  me  equally  ;  nor  can  I  like 
This  uncouth  dream,  of  evil  sprung  I  fear ; 
Yet  evil  whence  ?  in  thee  can  harbor  none, 
J"   Created  pure.     But  know  that  in  the  soul  ifyC 

^^.    Are  many  lesser  faculties  that  serve 
■  '    Reason  as  chief;  among  these  Fancy  next 
Her  office  holds ;  of  all  external  things, 
Which  the  five  watchful  senses  represent, 

SO.  by  merit  thine,  which  thou        81.  sitch,  such  life, 
dfcservest.    Sec  II.  5.  98.  xmcoulhy  strangft 


Book  V.]  PARADISE  LOST.  137 

She  forms  imaginations,  aery  sliapes,  lOB 

Which  Reason  joining  or  disjoining  frames 

All  what  we  affirm  or  what  deny,  and  call 

Our  knowledge  or  opinion  ;  then  retires 

Into  her  private  cell  when  Nature  rests. 

Oft  in  her  absence  mimic  Fancy  wakes  HO 

To  imitate  her ;  but,  misjoining  shapes, 

Wild  Avork  produces  oft,  and  most  in  dreams, 

ni  matching  words  and  deeds  long  past  or  late. 

Some  such  resemblances  methinks  I  find 

Of  our  last  evening's  talk  in  this  thy  dream,         •    116 

But  with  addition  strange  ;  yet  be  not  sad  : 

Evil  into  the  mind  of  God  or  man 

May  come  and  go,  so  unapproved,  and  leave 

No  spot  or  blame  behind  ;  which  gives  me  hope 

That  what  in  sleep  thou  didst  abhor  to  dream         120 

Waking  thou  never  wilt  consent  to  do. 

Be  not  disheartened  then,  nor  cloud  those  looks 

That  wont  to  be  more  cheerful  and  serene 

Than  when  foir  morning  first  smiles  on  the  world ; 

And  let  us  to  our  fresh  employments  rise  125 

Among  the  groves,  the  fountains,  and  the  flowers 

That  open  now  their  choicest  bosomed  smells. 

Reserved  from  night,  and  kept  for  thee  in  store." 

So  cheered  he  his  fair  spouse,  and  she  was  cheered  ; 
But  silently  a  gentle  tear  let  fall  130 

From  either  eye,  and  wiped  them  with  her  hair  ; 
Two  other  precious  drops  that  ready  stood, 
Each  in  their  crystal  sluice,  he  ere  they  fell 
Kissed  as  the  gracious  signs  of  sweet  remorse 
And  pious  awe  that  feared  to  have  olTended.  13{ 

So  all  was  cleared,  and  to  the  field  they  haste. 

107.  All  what,  all  things  what-        13-4.  re-morse,  compunction  ; 
soever  that.  sorrow. 

118.  so,  60  it  be.  136.  cleared,  maJe  clear  ;  ej 

plained. 


138  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  "V 

But  first,  from  under  shady  arborous  roof 
Soon  as  they  forth  were  come  to  open  sight 
Of  day-spring  and  the  sun  (who  scarce  up-riseu, 
With  wheels  yet  hovering  o'er  the  ocean  brim,        140 
Shot  parallel  to  the  earth  his  dewy  ray, 
Discovering  in  wide  landscape  all  the  east 
Of  Paradise  and  Eden's  happy  plains), 
fLowly  they  bowed  adoring,  and  began 
Their  orisons,  each  morning  duly  paid  146 

In  various  style ;  for  neither  various  style 
Nor  holy  rapture  wanted  they  to  praise 
Their  INIaker,  in  fit  strains  pronounced  or  sung 
Unmeditated,  such  prompt  eloquence 
Flowed  from  their  lips,  in  prose  or  numerous  verse, 
More  tunable  than  needed  lute  or  harp  151 

To  add  more  sweetness  -^  and  they  thus  began : 

"  These  are  thy  glorious  works.  Parent  of  good, 
Almighty  !  thine  this  universal  frame, 
Thus  wondrous  fair ;  thyself  how  wondrous  then  1    155 
Unspeakable,  who  sitt'st  above  these  heavens, 
To  us  invisible,  or  dimly  seen 
J  In  these  thy  lowest  works ;  yet  these  declare 
^  Thy  goodness  beyond  thought,  and  power  divine. 
^  Speak,  ye  who  best  can  tell,  ye  sons  of  light,  160 

Angels ;  for  ye  behold  him,  and  with  songs 
And  choral  symphonies,  day  without  night, 
Circle  his  throne  rejoicing ;  ye  in  Pleaven. 
On  earth  join  all  ye  creatures,  to  extol 
Him  first,  him  last,  him  midst,  and  without  end.      x6S 
Fairest  of  stars,  last  in  the  train  of  night, 

137.  nrborous    roof.      See    IV.  147.  wanted    they,   were    thej 

t90-697.  wauting  in,  or  unprovided  with. 

140.  wheels.  Phoebus,  the  Sun,  US.  pronounced,  s\:)okcQ. 

was  repres<mted  by  tlie  ancients  150.  »iMwe?ow5,  flowiiiginnum- 

as  rising  from  the  orean  brim  and  bers  or  numbered  syllables. 

driviug''his  chariot  over  the  vault  156.  Unspeakable,  not  to  be  de 

of  heaven  scribed  by  words. 

112    Discovering,  making  \Ui-  1G3.  circle,  survound. 
ble  ;  opening  to  the  view. 


Boob  V.]  PARADISE   LOST.  13 9 

If  better  thou  belong  not  to  the  da^vn, 
Sure  pledge  of  day,  that  crown'st  the  smiling  mom 
With  thy  bright  circlet,  praise  him  in  thy  sphere 
While  day  arises,  that  sweet  hour  of  prime.  170 

Thou  sun,  of  this  great  world  both  eye  and  soul, 
Acknowledge  him  thy  greater  ;  sound  Iiis  praise 
In  thy  eternal  course,  both  when  thou  climb'st, 
And  when  high  noon  hast    gained,  and  when  thou 

fall'st. 
Moon,  that  now  meet'st  the  orient  sun,  now  fly'st,    175 
With  the  fixed  stars,  fixed  in  their  orb  that  flies ; 
And  ye  five  other  w^andering  fires,  that  move 
In  mystic  dance  not  without  song,  resound 
His  praise,  who  out  of  darkness  called  up  light. 
Air  and  ye  elements,  the  eldest  birth  180 

Of  Nature's  womb,  that  in  quaternion  run 
Perpetual  circle,  multiform,  and  mix 
And  nourish  all  things,  let  your  ceaseless  change 
Vary  to  our  great  Maker  still  new  praise. 
Ye  mists  and  exhalations,  that  now  rise  1S6 

From  hill  or  steaming  lake,  dusky  or  gray, 

167.  better,  rather.  177.  Jive  other  wnnrterins:  fiies. 

170.  primp.     See  line  21.     The  The  planets  are  .''o  called  from  a 

Prime  is  the  early  morning  ser-  Greek  word  meaning  to  wander, 

vice  in  the  Koniau  church.  because  they  change  their  places 

llo.  noivmeel'St  the  orient  sun,  with  regard  to  the  fixed  stars, 
now  fly'st.  At  new  moon,  the  among  which  they  .«ceui  to  wan- 
moon  rises  with  or  7neets  the  der.  In  Milton's  time,  only  five 
Bun  ;  from  new  to  full,  she  may  of  these,  besides  the  Earth,  were 
be  said  tofli/  from  the  sun  ;  from  known.  They  were  Mercury, 
full,  when  she  is  opposite  to  the  Venus,  Mars,  Jupiter,  and  Sat- 
Bun,  to  new,  she  seems  to  ap-  urn. 
proach  him.  178.  not  without  song.     It  was 

176.   With,   together  with  ;    as  supposed  by  some  of  the  ancients, 

well  as,  referring  to   resound. —  th\t 'he  harmonious  moTem<^nta 

J^xeti  in  their   orb  that  flies.     It  of  the  heavenly  bodies  pioduced 

was   the   notion  of    the  ancient  sweet  sounds,  which  they  called 

astronomers  that  the  stars  were  the  Mu.sic  of  the  Spheres, 

fixed  in  a  crystal  sphere,  the  mo-  IHI.  that    in   qv<ile> nion,  th&t. 

tion  of  which  brought  these  bod-  four  in  number,  run  a  />erpetjia} 

les  into  different  situations  with  c/rc/c,  one  element  mingling  with, 

regard  to  the  Earth,  which  was  or,  as  it  were,  changing  iaU\  an- 

supposed  to  be  the  centre  of  this  o  iier. 
and  the  other  spheres. 


140  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  V 

Till  tlie  sun  paint  yonr  (leecy  skirts  with  gold, 

In  honor  to  the  Avorld's  great  Author  rise, 

Whether  to  deck  with  clouds  the  uncolored  sky 

Or  wet  the  thirsty  earth  with  falling  showers,  19C 

Rising  or  falling,  still  advance  his  praise. 

His  praise,  ye  winds,  that  from  four  quarters  blow, 

Breathe  soft  or  loud ;  and  wave  your  tops,  ye  pines, 

With  every  plant,  in  sign  of  worship  wave. 

Fountains,  and  ye  that  warble,  as  ye  flow,  195 

Melodious  murmurs,  warbling  tune  his  praise. 

Join  voices,  all  ye  living  souls ;  ye  birds, 

That  singing  up  to  Heaven-gate  ascend. 

Bear  on  your  wings  and  in  your  notes  his  praise. 

Ye  that  in  waters  glide,  and  ye  that  walk  200 

The  earth  and  stately  tread  or  lowly  creep, 

Witness  if  I  be  silent,  morn  or  even, 

To  hill  or  valley,  fountain  or  fresh  shade, 

Made  vocal  by  my  song  and  taught  his  praise. 

Hail,  universal  Lord,  be  bounteous  still  205 

To  give  us  only  good  ;  and,  if  the  night 

Have  gathered  aught  of  evil,  or  concealed, 

Disperse  it,  as  now  light  dispels  the  dark  ! " 

So  prayed  they  innocent,  and  to  their  thoughts 
Firm  peace  recovered  soon  and  wonted  calm.  210 

On  to  their  morning's  rural  work  they  haste 
Among  sweet  dews  and  flowers,  where  any  row 
Of  fi'uit  trees  over-woody  reached  too  far 
Their  pampered  boughs,  and  needed  hands  to  check 
Fruitless  embraces  :  or  they  led  the  vine  215 

To  wed  her  elm  ;  she  spoused  about  him  tAvines 
Her  marriageable  arms,  and  with  her  brings 
Her  dower,  the  adopted  clusters,  to  adorn 
His  barren  leaves.     Them  thus  employed  beheld 

189.  wjircZored,  without  variety        207.  Have  gathered  or  conceale>^i 
of  color.  a  ug/u  of  e  ml. 


Book  V.]  PARADISE  LOST.  141 

With  ]>ity  Heaven's  higli  king,  and  to  him  called     23C 

Raphael,  the  sociable  spirit,  that  deigned 

To  travel  with  Tobias,  and  secured 

His  marriage  with  the  seven-times  wedded  maid. 

"  Raphael,"  said  he,  "  thou    hear'st  what  stir  on 
Earth 
Satan,  from  Hell  scaped  through  the  darksome  gulf, 
Hath  raised  in  Paradise,  and  how  disturbed  22(i 

Tliis  night  the  human  pair,  how  he  designs 
In  them  at  once  to  ruin  all  mankind. 
^^  Go  therefore,  half  this  day  as  friend  with  friend 
X     ''  ^Converse  with  Adam,  in  what  bower  or  shade         230 
Thou  find'st  him,  from  the  heat  of  noon  retired 
^  .To  respite  his  day-labor  with  repast 
^k   Or  with  repose;  and  such  discourse  bring  on 
NsJ    As  may  advise  him  of  his  happy  state, 

Happiness  in  his  power  left  free  to  will,  235 

-J.  Left  to  his  own  free  will,  his  will  though  free 
^^:.Yet  mutable;  whence  warn  him  to  beware 
;^He  swerve  not,  too  secure  :  tell  him  withal 
^  His  danger,  and  from  whom ;  what  enemy, 

Late  fallen  himself  from  Heaven,  is  plotting  now     240 
>     The  fall  of  others  from  like  state  of  bliss ; 
"*     By  violence?  no,  for  that  shall  be  witlistood  ; 
'  But  by  deceit  and  lies :  this  let  him  know, 
Lest  wilfully  transgressing  he  pretend 
Surprlsal,  unadmonished,  unforewarned."  245 

So  spake  the  eternal  Father,  and  fulfilled 
All  justice  :  nor  delayed  the  winged  saint 

221-223.  In  the  book  of  Tobit  226.  disturbed,  hath  disturbed 

the  angel  Raphael  is  described  as  2.30.  ivhat,  whateyer. 

the  companion  of  Tobias,  travel-  2-34.  sdvise,  inform, 

ling  with  him  into  Media  and  in-  2SS.  secitre.     See  II.  399. 

structing  him  how  to  drive  away  2i5.  surprisal,     to    have    been 

the  evil   spirit,    that   he   might  taken  by  surprise, 
marry   the    seven-times    weddid 
maid.    See  IV.  168-171. 


142  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  7 

After  his  charge  received  ;  but  from  among 
Thousand  celestial  Ardors,  where  he  stood 
Veiled  with  his  gorgeous  wings,  up  springing  light,    25(1 
Flew  through    tlie    midst    of  Heaven ;    the    angelic 

quires, 
On  each  hand  parting,  to  his  speed  gave  way- 
Through  all  the  empyreal  road  ;  till  at  the  gate 
Of  Heaven  arrived,  the  gate  self-opened  wide. 
On.  golden  hinges  turning,  as  by  work  265 

Divine  the  sovran  architect  had  framed. 
From  hence  (no  cloud,  or,  to  obstruct  his  sight, 
Star  Interposed,  however  small)  he  sees, 
Not  nnconforni  to  other  shining  globes, 
Earth,  and  the  garden  of  God,  with  cedars  crowned 
Above  all  hills :  as  when  by  night  the  glass  261 

Of  Galileo,  less  assured,  observes 
Imagined  lands  and  regions  in  the  moon ; 
Or  pilot  from  amidst  the  Cyclades 
Delos  or  Samos  first  appearing  kens,  265 

A  cloudy  spot.      Down  thither  prone  in  flight 
He  speeds,  and  through  the  vast  ethereal  sky 
Sails  between  worhls  and  worlds,  with  steady  wing, 
Now  on  the  polar  winds,  then  with  quick  fan 
Winnows  the  buxom  air  ;  till,  within  soar  270 

Of  towering  eagles,  to  all  the  fowls  he  seems 
A  phoenix,  gazed  by  all,  as  that  sole  bird, 

249.  Ardors,  briglit  spirits  ;  of  islands  in  the  ^gean  Sea  or 
seraphim.  Archipelago,  east  of  Greece.  They 

250.  Veiled  with  his  gorgeous  lie  around  Delos,  the  most  im- 
ivings.  "  Above  it  stood  the  portant  of  them.  Santos  is  far- 
seraphims :  each  one  had  six  ther  to  the  east  than  the  Cy- 
wings  ;  with  twain  he  covered  his  clades,  on  the  coast  of  Asia  Mi- 
face,  and  with  twain  he  covered  nor. 

his  feet,  and  with  twain  he  did  265.  kens,  sees  at  a  distance  ; 

By."     Isaiah  vi.  2.  descries. 

251.  quires.     See  IV.  711.  270.    Wi7inmvs,  beats. — buxom, 
259.  unconform,  unHkeinform.  See  II.  842. — toithin  soar,  having 

261.  the  glass  of  Galileo.  See  descended  to  the  region  to  which 
\.  287-291.  tdic^rius  eagles  soar. 

262.  assured,  certain.  272-274.  The  plianix  was,  aC' 
264.  the  Cyclade!^  are  a  group    cording  to  the  ancient  story,  a 


Book  v.]  PARADISE  J, OST.  H3 

Wlicn  to  enshrine  his  reliqiics  in  the  Sun's 
Bi-ight  temple,  to  Egyptian  Thebes  he  flies. 
At  once  on  the  eastern  clifT' of  Paradise  .375 

.    He  lights,  and  to  his  proper  shape  returns, 
'sc.--    A  seraph  winged  :  six  wings  he  wore  to  shade 
^^v    His  lineaments  divine  ;  the  pair  that  clad 

/   Each  shoulder  broad  came  mantling  o'er  his  breast 
■■-  ;^K  With  regal  ornament ;  the  middle  pair  ^0 

>J^    Girt  like  a  starry  zone  his  waist,  and  round 

-^Skirted  his  loins  and  thighs  with  downy  gold 
.*t   And  colors  dipped  in  heaven;  the  third  his  feet 
C      Shadowed  from  either  heel  with  feathered  mail, 
.    -  ^  Sky-tinctured  grain.      Like  Maia's  son  he  stood,      2["5 
<.    And  shook  his  plumes,  tliat  heavenly  fragrance  filled 
•.^    The  circuit  wide.      Straight  knew  him  all  the  bands 
^-    Of  angels  under  watch,  and  to  his  state 
\  And  to  his  message  high  in  honor  rise,  289 

fror  on  some  message  high  they  guessed  him  bound. 
^  ^  ■  Their  glittering  tents  he  passed,  and  now  is  come 
Into  the  blissful  field,  through  groves  of  myrrh. 
And  flowering  odors,  cassia,  nard,  and  balm, 
A  wilderness  of  sweets :  for  Nature  here 
Wantoned  as  in  her  prime,  and  played  at  will  295 

Her  virgin  fancies,  pouring  forth  more  sweet, 
Wild  above  rule  or  art,  enormous  bliss. 
Him,  through  the  spicy  forest  onward  come, 
Adam  discerned,  as  in  the  door  he  sat 

bird  that,  after  haying  lived  five        278.    lineaments,  form  aa  de- 
hundred  years,  built  for  itself  a  scribed  or  marked  by  lines, 
ftineral  pile  of  cinnamon,  spike-        281.  zone,  girdle, 
nard,  and   myrrh.      As    it  drew        284.  with  feathered  mail,  cov- 
Ita  last  breath,  a  voung  Phoenix  ered   with   feathers    overlapping 
sprang  from  its  ashes,  to  live  an-  sach  other  like  plates  of  armor, 
other  five    hundred    vears,   and        2%.  Sky-tincturef/ strain,  t'mged 
then  die  in  like  manner.     Thus  with  the  grain  or  color  of  the  sky. 
It  wiis  that  sole  birr/.     The  young  —Blaia's  son,  Mercury,  the  me«- 
bird  carried  the  nest  which  con-  senger  of  the   gods,    whose   feet 
tained  the  ashes  of  its  parent.  Iiis  were  winged.     See  ITT.  G03. 
elifjues.   to   Egypt,    there  to  en-        289.  in,  in  sign  of. 
ihri7ie  it  in  the  Temple  of  the  Sun.         297.  enormous,  beyoul  or  wltb 
277-285.  See  lino  250  out  measure. 


'44  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  V. 

Of  his  cool  bower,  while  now  the  mounted  sun        900 

Shot  clown  direct  his  fervid  rays  to  warm 

Earth's    inmost    womb,    more    warmth     than    Adam 

needs ; 
And  Eve  within  due  at  her  hour  prepared 
For  dinner  savory  fruits,  of  taste  to  please 
True  appetite,  and  not  disrelish  thirst  305 

Of  nectarous  draughts  between,  from  milky  stream, 
Beny  or  grape  ;  to  whom  thus  Adam  called  : 

"  Haste  hither.  Eve,  and,  Avorth  thy  sight,  behold 
Eastward  among  those  trees  Mdiat  glorious  shape 
Comes  this  Avay  moving,  seems  another  morn  310 

Risen  on  mid-noon  ;  some  great  behest  from  Heaven 
To  us  perhaps  he  brings,  and  will  vouchsafe 
This  day  to  be  our  guest.      But  go  Avith  speed, 
And  what  thy  stores  contain  bring  forth,  and  pour 
Abundance,  fit  to  honor  and  receive  315 

Our  heavenly  stranger :  well  we  may  afford 
Our  givers  their  own  gifts,  and  large  bestow 
From  large  bestoAved,  Avhere  Nature  multiplies 
Her  fertile  growth,  and  by  disburdening  grows 
More  fruitful,  Avhich  instructs  us  not  to  spare."        320 

To    Avhom    thus    Eve :    "  Adam,  earth's  hallowed 
mould, 
Of  God  inspired  !  small  store  will  serve  Avhere  store 
All  seasons  ripe  for  use  hangs  on  the  stalk ; 
Save  Avhat  by  frugal  storing  firmness  gains 
To  nourish,  and  superfluous  moist  consumes.  825 

But  I  Avill  haste,  and  from  each  bough  and  brake, 
Each  plant  and  juiciest  gourd,  Avill  pluck  such  choice 
To  entertain  our  angel  guest,  as  he 
Beholding  shall  confess,  that  here  on  Earth 
Grod  hatli  dispensed  his  bounties  as  in  Heaven.**      san 

303.  due,  punctual.  321.  See  Genesis  ii.  7. 

310.  seems^  that  seems.  328.  as,  that. 

811.  behest,  command. 


Book  V.J  FAkADISE  LOST.  145 

So  sapng,  witli  despatcliful  looks  in  hasto 
She  turns,  on  hospitable  thoughts  intent 
What  choice  to  choose  for  dehcacy  best, 
Wliat  order  so  contrived  as  not  to  mix 
Tastes,  not  well  joined,  inelegant,  but  bring  Q38 

Taste  after  taste  upheld  with  kindliest  change  ; 
Bestirs  her  then,  and  from  each  tender  stalk 
^Yhatever  Earth,  all  bearing  mother,  yields 
In  India  East  or  "West,  or  middle  shore, 
In  Pontus  or  the  Punic  coast,  or  where  34C 

Alcinoiis  reigned,  fruit  of  all  kinds,  in  coat 
Rough  or  smooth  rined,  or  bearded  husk,  or  shell. 
She  gathers,  tribute  large,  and  on  the  board 
Heaps  with  unsparing  hand  :  for  drink  the  grape 
She  crushes,  inoffensive  must,  and  meathes  &15 

From  many  a  berry,  and  from  sweet  kernels  pressed 
She  tempers  dulcet  creams^ ;  nor  these  to  hold 
Wants  her  fit  vessels  pure  :  then  strews  the  ground 
With  rose  and  odors  from  the  shrub  uufumed. 

Meanwhile  our  primitive  great  sire,  to  meet        350 
His  godlike  guest,  walks  forth,  without  more  train 
Accompanied  than  with  his  own  complete 
Perfections  ;  in  himself  was  all  his  state, 

333.  What  choice,  her  thought  the  scanning  of  this  line,  see  note 

\f3LS,  tvhat  choice.  on  III.  36.     Here  the  second  foot 

335.  7iot  well  joined,  inelegant,  consists  of  three  syllables. 

if  not  well  joined  or  mixed  after  34:2.  Rgugh  or  smooth  rined  or 

careful  selection,  then  not  pleas-  rinded,  having  a  rough  or  smooth 

ing.  rind. 

339.  middle  shore,  what  lies  he-  345.  must,  new  wine  pressed 

tween.  from    the    grape,    but    not  fer- 

3i0.   Pontus  was  in  the  north-  mented  ;     therefore    inoffensive, 

em  part  of   Asia    Minor.  —  the  without  intoxicating  qualities.— 

Punic    coast   was    the   coast    of  menlhes^  meads. 

Carthage,  in  the  north  of  Africa.  347.  tempers,  suitably  prepares. 

341.    where    Alcinous    reigned.  348.   Wants  her,   has   she  any 

AJcinous   was  the  ruler  of   the  lack  of. 

Phaeacians,      who      entertained  349.  nnfumed,  giving  forth  its 

Ulysses  in  his  island  of  Schcria,  fragrance  without  being  burned 

on  the  west  of  Greece,  as  related  like  incense. 
by  Homer  in  the  Odyssey.     For 
10 


l40  rAitADJSE  LOST.  [Book  V. 

More  solemn  than  tlie  tedious  pomp  that  waits 

On  princes,  when  their  rich  retinue  long  S8S 

Of  horses  led  and  grooms  besmeared  with  gold 

Dazzles  the  crowd,  and  sets  them  all  agape. 

Nearer  his  presence  Adam,  though  not  awed, 

Yet  with  submiss  approach  and  reverence  meek. 

As  to  a  superior  nature,  bowing  low,  80C 

Thus  said  :  "  Native  of  Heaven  !  for  other  place 

None  can  than  Heaven  such  glorious  shape  contain, 

Since,  by  descending  from  the  thrones  above. 

Those  happy  places  thou  hast  deigned  awhile 

To  want  and  honor  these,  vouchsafe  with  us  365 

Two  only,  who  yet  by  sovran  gift  possess 

This  spacious  ground,  in  yonder  shady  bower 

To  rest,  and  what  the  garden  choicest  bears 

To  sit  and  taste,  till  this  meridian  heat 

Be  over,  and  the  sun  more  cool  decline."  37u 

Whom  thus  the  angelic  Virtue  answered  mild  : 
'■  Adam,  I  therefore  came  ;  nor  art  thou  such 
Created,  or  such  place  hast  here  to  dwell, 
As  may  not  oft  invite,  though  spirits  of  Heaven, 
To  visit  thee :  lead  on  then  where  thy  bower  d7fi 

O'ershades  ;  for  these  midliours,  till  evening  riSe, 
I  have  at  will."     So  to  the  sylvan  lodge 
They  came,  that  like  Pomona's  arbor  smiled 
With  flowerets  decked  and  fragrant  smells  ;  but  Eve 
Undecked  save  with  herself,  more  lovely  fair  380 

Than  wood-nymph  or  the  fairest  goddess  feigned 
Of  three  that  in  Mount  Ida  naked  strove, 

358.  Nearer,  when  nearer  to.  382.  three.  Juno,  Minerva,  and 

359.  submiss,  submissive.  Venus  each  claimed  the  prize  of 
.365.   To  want,  to  be  without;    beauty.     Jupiter  sent  them   to 

to  leave.  M'liint  Ida,  where  Paris,  son  of 

371.   Virtue.    See  II.  311.  Priam  king  of  Troy,  was  tending 

374.  though  spirits,  even  spir-  his  flocks.  He  adjudged  the  prize 

its.  to    Venus,    the    fairest    goiJdess 

378.  Pomona     presided     over  feigned.    Ilis  decision  was  called 

fruit  and  its  culture.  the  Judgment  of  Paris. 


Book  V.]  PARADISE  LOST.  147 

Stood  1.0  entertain  her  guest  from  Heaven :  no  veil 

She  needed,  virtue-proof;  no  thought  infirm 

Altered  her  check.      On  whom  the  angel  Hail  '      385 

Bestowed,  the  holy  salutation  used 

Long  after  to  blest  Mary,  second  Eve  : 

«  Hail,  mother  of  mankind,  whose  fruitful  womL 

Shall  fill  the  world  more  numerous  with  thy  sons. 

Than  with  these  various  fruits  the  trees  of  God       390 

Have  heaped  this  table  ! "     Raised  of  grassy  turf 

Their  table  was,  and  mossy  seats  had  round, 

And  on  her  ample  square  from  side  to  side 

All  autumn  piled,  though  spring  and  autumn  here 

Danced  hand  in  hand.      Awhile  discourse  they  hold 

(No  fear  lest  dinner  cool),  when  thus  began  396 

Our  author :  "  Heavenly  stranger,  please  to  taste 

These  bounties,  which  our  nourisher,  from  whom 

All  perfect  good  unmeasured  out  descends 

To  us  for  food  and  for  delight,  hath  caused  400 

The  earth  to  yield  ;  unsavory  food  perhaps 

To  spiritual  natures ;  only  this  I  know, 

That  one  celestial  Father  gives  to  all." 

To  whom  the  angel :  "  Therefore  what  he  gives 
(Whose  praise  be  ever  sung  !  )  to  man  in  part         405 
Spiritual,  may  of  purest  spirits  be  found 
No  ingrateful  food  :  and  food  alike  those  pure 
Intelllgential  substances  require, 
As  doth  your  rational ;  and  both  contain 
Within  them  every  lower  faculty  410 

Of  sejise,  whereby  they  hear,  see,  smell,  touch,  taste ; 

384.  virtue-proof,  strong  or  safe  394.  piled,  had  all  autumn,  the 

in  virtue.  friiits  of  autumn,  piled. 

386.  the  holy  salutnaon.   "And  397.   Our    author,    him    from 

the  ang:el  came  in  unto  her,  and  whom  we  derive  our  origin  ;  oui 

said,  lliiil,  thou  that  art  highly  first  ancestor, 

favored."     Luke  i.  28.  406.  of,  by. 

892.  round  is  an  adverb.  407.  ingrateful,  unpleasing. 

893.  ker^  its.  409.    rational,     rational    Bub- 

stance. 


1 48  PARADISE  L  Uis  T.  [Book  V . 

Tasting  concoct,  digest,  assimilate, 

And  corporeal  to  incorporeal  turn. 

For  know,  whatever  was  created  needs 

To  be  sustained  and  fed  ;  of  elements  414 

The  grosser  feeds  the  purer,  earth  the  sea, 

Earth  and  the  sea  feed  air,  the  air  those  fires 

Ethereal,  and  as  lowest  first  the  moon  ; 

Whence  in  her  visage  round  those  spots,  unpurgcd 

Vapors  not  yet  into  her  substance  turned,  420 

Nor  doth  the  moon  no  nourishment  exhale 

From  her  moist  continent  to  higher  orbs. 

The  sun,  tliat  light  imparts  to  all,  receives 

From  all  his  alimental  recompense 

In  humid  exhalations,  and  at  even  425 

Sups  with  the  ocean.      Though  in  Heaven  the  trees 

Of  life  ambrosial  fruitage  bear,  and  vines 

Yield  nectar ;  though  from  off  the  boughs  each  morn 

We  brush  mellifluous  dews,  and  find  the  ground 

Covered  with  pearly  grain:  yet  God  hath  here       430 

Varied  his  bounty  so  with  new  delights. 

As  may  compare  with  Heaven  ;  and  to  taste 

Think  not  I  shall  be  nice."     So  down  they  sat, 

And  to  their  viands  fell ;  nor  seemingly 

The  angel,  nor  in  mist,  the  common  gloss  435 

Of  theologians,  but  with  keen  despatch 

Of  real  hunger,  and  concoctive  heat 

To  transubstantiate ;  what  redounds  transpires 

Through  spirits  with  ease ;  nor  wonder,  if  by  fire 

419.  vnpurged,  which  are  un-  434.  seemmg-/;/,  only  in  appear  • 

purged,  or  not  yet  cleared.    The  ance. 

word,  if  this  punctuation  is  cor-  437.  concoctive,  having   diges- 

rect,  agrees  with  vapors.  tive  power. 

422.  See  Hue  548.  438.    transubstantiate,    change 

426.   Sups  ivitli  the  ocean,  be-  into  his    substance.  ; —  whij,t  re- 

cause  he  seems  to  descend  into  it.  dounds,  what  is    redundant   or 

430./'^a?-/?/g-mm.  manna,  called  superfluous.  —  transpires,   is  ex- 

in  Psalm  Ixxviii.  ''angels'  food."  haled,  as  if  through  pores. 

See  Exodus  xvi.  14.  439.  nor  wonder,  nor    is  it  • 

433.  nice,  over-nice  :  fastidious,  wonder. 


Book  V.]  PARADISE  LOST.  1 49 

Of  sooty  coal  the  empiric  alchemist  440 

Can  turn,  or  holds  it  possible  to  turn, 

Metals  of  drossiest  ore  to  perfect  gold 

As  from  the  mine.      Meanwhile  at  table  Eve 

Ministered  naked,  and  their  flowing  cups 

With  pleasant  liquors  crowned.      O  innocence         446 

Deserving  Paradise  !  if  ever,  then, 

Then  had  the  sons  of  God  excuse  to  have  been 

Enamored  at  that  sight ;  but  in  those  hearts 

Love  unlibidinous  reigned,  nor  jealousy 

Was  understood,  the  injured  lover's  hell.  450 

Thus  when  with  meats  and  drink  they  had  suffi(;ed, 
Not  burdened  nature,  sudden  mind  arose 
In  Adam  not  to  let  the  occasion  pass, 
Given  him  by  this  great  conference,  to  know 
Of  things  above  his  world,  and  of  their  being  455 

Who  dwell  in  Heaven,  whose  excellence  he  saw 
Transcend  his  own  so  far,  whose  radiant  forms 
Divine  effulgence,  whose  high  power  so  far 
Exceeded  human,  and  his  wary  speech 
Thus  to  the  empyreal  minister  he  framed  :  160 

"  Inhabitant  with  God,  now  know  I  well 
Thy  favor,  in  this  honor  done  to  man, 
Under  whose  lowly  roof  thou  hast  vouchsafed 
To  enter,  and  these  earthly  fruits  to  taste, 
Food  not  of  angels,  yet  accepted  so,  iS5 

As  that  more  willingly  thou  couldst  not  seem 
At  Heaven's  high  feasts  to  have  fed  :  yet  what  com- 
pare ?  " 

440.  empiric,  derotcd  ti,  experi-  458.  If  forms    be    considered 
ments.     The  chemists  of  foniior  as    one    of    the    su'.yects   of   ear- 
times,  sought    to    change   other  ce^li-d,  effidgence   is    iu   apposi- 
metafs  into  gold.  tion  with  it. 
\b^.  occasion.    See  T.  178.  mi.  yet  what  compare,  yei  ho^ 
154.  this:  great  conference.,  this  can  the.^e  i-arthbj  /mils  be   com 
opportunity   of   conferring  with  pared  to  the  food  of  angels 
so  great  a  being  on  matters  so 
high. 


160  FARAD18E  1.0HT.  [Book  V 

To  whom  the  wiuged  Hlerarch  replied : 
■*  O  Adam,  one  ahnighty  is,  from  whom 
All  things  proceed,  and  up  to  him  return,  470 

If  not  depraved  fi-om  good,  created  all 
Such  to  perfection,  one  first  matter  all, 
Endued  with  various  forms,  various  degrees 
Of  substance,  and,  in  things  that  live,  of  life ; 
But  more  refined,  more  splritoua,  and  pure,  475 

As  nearer  to  him  placed  or  nearer  tending. 
Each  in  their  several  active  spheres  assigned, 
Till  body  up  to  spirit  work,  in  bounds 
Proportioned  to  each  kind.     So  from  the  root 
Springs    lighter  the    green    stalk,    from    thence    the 
leaves  480 

More  aery,  last  the  bright  consummate  flower 
Spirits  odorous  breathes  :  flowers  and  their  fruit, 
Man's  nourishment,  by  gradual  scale  sublimed. 
To  vital  spirits  aspire,  to  animal, 
To  intellectual ;  give  both  life  and  sense,  485 

Fancy  and  understanding  ;  whence  the  soul 
Reason  receives,  and  reason  is  her  being. 
Discursive  or  intuitive  ;  discourse 
Is  oftest  yours,  the  latter  most  is  ours. 
Differing  but  in  degree,  of  kind  the  same.  490 

Wonder  not,  then,  what  God  for  you  saw  good 
If  I  refuse  not,  but  convert,  as  you, 
To  proper  substance  :  time  may  come,  when  men 
With  angels  may  participate,  and  find 
No  inconvenient  diet,  nor  too  light  fare  ;  495 

468.  if/f  rare/! ,  chief  of  a  sacred  483.    suhlhned,    exalted;    im« 

order;  here,  chief  seraph.  proved. 

472.  5i<c/i,  good. — to  perfection.  488.    Discursive    or    tntwitive, 

that  they  might  go  on  to  perfec-  whether  reached   as   by  mortals 

tion.  —  mi e  first   matter^   of  the  through  the  medium  of  ry/.svoi«r5« 

lame  original  substance.  or  process  of  reasoning,  or  at  once 

475    spiritous,  lilce  spirit.  apprehended  by  the  mind  as  hy 

481.  consummate^!  perfected.  superior  beings. 

482.  by  gradual  scale,  from  one  495.  inconvenient,  unsuitatle 
itep  to  another. 


uookV.j  paradise  lost.  151 

And  from  these  corporal  nutriments  perhaps 

Tour  bodies  may  at  last  turn  all  to  spirit, 

Improved  by  tract  of  time,  and  winged  ascend 

Ethereal,  as  we,  or  may  at  choice 

Here  or  in  heavenly  Paradises  dwell ;  SOQ 

If  ye  be  found  obedient,  and  retain 

Unalterably  firm  his  love  entire, 

Whose  progeny  you  are.     MeanAvhile  enjoy 

Your  fill  what  happiness  this  happy  state 

Can  comprehend,  incapable  of  more."  506 

To  whom  the  patriarch  of  mankind  replied  : 
"  O  favorable  Spirit,  propitious  guest. 
Well  hast  thou  taught  the  way  that  might  direct 
Our  knowledge,  and  the  scale  of  nature  set 
From  centre  to  circumference  ;  whereon,  510 

In  contemplation  of  created  things. 
By  steps  we  may  ascend  to  God.     But  say. 
What  meant  that  caution  joined,  '  If  ye  be  found 
Obedient '  ?  can  we  want  obedience  then 
To  him,  or  possibly  his  love  desert,  516 

W^ho  formed  us  from  the  dust,  and  placed  us  here, 
Full  to  the  utmost  measure  of  what  bliss 
Human  desires  can  seek  or  apprehend  ?  " 

To  whom  the  angel :  "  Son  of  Heaven  and  Earth, 
Attend  !     That  thou  art  happy,  owe  to  God  ;  520 

That  thou  continu'st  such,  owe  to  thyself. 
That  Is,  to  thy  obedience ;  therein  stand. 
This  was  that  caution  given  thee  ;  be  advised. 
God  made  thee  perfect,  not  immutable  ; 
And  good  he  made  thee,  but  to  persevere  525 

He  left  it  in  thy  power,  ordained  thy  will 

498.  fmc/,  extent;    continued        b^\.  what  hnvpiness,  of  aMi\M 
duration.  happiness  wliicli. 

514.  leant,  be  wanting  in. 


152  PARADISE   LOST.  [Boor  V. 

By  nature  free,  not  overruled  by  fate 

Inextricable,  or  strict  necessity  : 

Our  voluntary  service  lie  requires, 

Not  our  necessitated  ;  such  with  him  63(1 

Finds  no  acceptance,  nor  can  find  ;  for  how 

Can  hearts  not  free  be  tried  whether  they  serve 

WilHng  or  no,  who  will  but  what  they  must 

By  destiny,  and  can  no  other  choose  ? 

Myself  and  all  the  angelic  host  that  stand  536 

In  sight  of  God  enthroned  our  happy  state 

Hold,  as  you  yours,  while  our  obedience  holds ; 

On  other  surety  none  ;  freely  we  serve. 

Because  we  freely  love,  as  in  our  Avill 

To  love  or  not ;  in  this  we  stand  or  fall :  540 

And  some  are  fallen,  to  disobedience  fallen, 

And  so  from  Heaven  to  deepest  Hell ;   O  fall 

From  what  high  state  of  bliss  into  what  woe  ! " 

To  whom  our  great  progenitor :  "  Thy  words 
Attentive,  and  with  more  delighted  ear,  546 

Divine  instructor,  I  have  heard,  than  when 
Cherubic  songs  by  night  from  neighboring  hills 
Aerial  music  send  :  nor  knew  I  not 
To  be  both  will  and  deed  created  free ; 
Yet  that  we  never  shall  forget  to  love  550 

Our  Maker,  and  obey  him  Avhose  command 
Single  is  yet  so  just,  my  constant  thoughts 
Assured    me,    and    still    assure :    though  what    thou 

tell'st 
Hath  passed  in  Heaven,  some  doubt  within  me  move, 
But  more  desire  to  hear,  if  thou  consent,  555 

The  full  relation,  which  must  needs  be  strange, 
Worthy  of  sacred  silence  to  be  heard  ; 

539.  as  in  our  will,  it  being  \n        548.  nor  knew   I  not,   and 

our  will.  kue\7. 

547.   Cherubic  song.-;.    See  IV.        549.   To  be,  myself  U  be ;  thai 

630-638.  I  was. 


Book  V.]  PARADISE   LOST.  153 

And  we  liavo  yet  large  day,  for  scarce  the  sun 
Hatb  finished  half  his  journey,  and  scarce  begins 
His  other  half  in  the  great  zone  of  heaven/"'  560 

Thus  Adam  made  request ;  and  "Raphael, 
After  short  pause  assenting,  thus  began  : 

"  High  matter  thou  enjoin'st  me,  0  prime  of  men, 
Sad  task  and  hard  ;  for  how  shall  I  relate 
To  human  sense  the  invisible  exploits  566 

Of  warring  spirits  ?  how,  without  remorse, 
The  ruin  of  so  many  glorious  once, 
And  perfect  while  they  stood  ?  how,  last,  unfo.'d 
The  secrets  of  another  world,  perhaps 
Not  lawful  to  reveal  ?  yet  for  thy  good  570 

This  Is  dispensed  ;  and  what  surmounts  the  reach 
Of  human  seupo,  I  shall  delineate  so. 
By  likening  spiritual  to,  eoi'.pai:cdjorms, 
As  may  express  them  best;  though  what  if  Earth 
Be  but  the  shadow  of  Heaven,  and  things  therein  575 
Each  to  otlier  like,  more  than  on  Earth  is  thought  ? 
As  yet  this  world  was  not,  and  Chaos  wild 
Reigned  where  these  heavens  now  roll,  where  Earth 

now  rests 
Upon  her  centre  poised ;  when,  on  a  day 
(For  time,  though  in  eternity,  applied  580 

To  motion,  measures  all  things  durable 
By  present,  past,  and  future),  on  such  day 
As  Heaven's  great  year  brings  forth,  the  empyreal 

host 
Of  angels,  by  imperial  summons  called, 
Innumerable  before  the  Almighty's  throne  585 

Forthwith  from  all  the  ends  of  Heaven  appeared. 
Under  their  hierarchs  in  orders  bright : 

b&7.  remone.    See  line  134.  587    hierarchs      See  Une  468. 

571.  dispensed,  permitted 


l04  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  V 

Ten  thousand  thousand  ensigns  high  advanced, 

Standards  and  gonfalons,  'twixt  van  and  rear 

Stream  in  the  air,  and  for  distinction  serve  590 

Of  hierarchies,  of  orders,  and  degrees  ; 

Or  in  their  ghttering  tissues  bear  emblazed 

Holy  memorials,  acts  of  zeal  and  love 

Recorded  eminent.      Thus,  when  in  orbs 

Of  circuit  inexpressible  they  stood,  596 

Orb  within  orb,  the  Father  infinite, 

By  whom  in  bliss  imbosomed  sat  the  Son, 

Amidst  as  from  a  flaming  mount,  whose  top 

Brightness  had  made  invisible,  thus  spake  : 

"  '  Hear,  all  }'e  Angels,  progeny  of  light,  600 

Thrones,  Dominations,  Princedoms,  Virtues,  Powers, 
Hear  my  decree,  which  unrevoked  shall  stand. 
This  day  I  have  begot  whom  I  declare  * 

My  only  Son,  and  on  this  holy  hill 
Him  have  anointed,  whom  ye  noAV  behold  605 

At  my  right  hand  ;  your  head  I  him  appoint ; 
And  by  myself  have  sworn,  to  him  shall  bow 
All  knees  in  Heaven,  and  shall  confess  him  Lord. 
Under  his  great  vicegerent  reign  abide 
United  as  one  individual  soul,  610 

Forever  happy.      Him  who  disobeys. 
Me  disobeys,  breaks  union,  and  that  day. 
Cast  out  from  God  and  blessed  vision,  falls 


589.   gonfalons^    war -flags;  by  myself."     Genesis  xxii.  16. — 

banners.  shall  boiv.      See    Philippians    ii. 

592.  emblazeil,  emblazoned.  9-11. 

595.  inexpressible^  not  capable  G09.  vlces;erent.      This  word  is 

of  being  described ;  t»o  large  to  here  an  adjective. 

be  expressed.  610.  hvlivirhial.     See  IV.  486. 

598.  Amidst,  in    or  from  the  611,  612.    Him   who   disobeys, 

rnidst  or  centre  of  the  orbs.  me  disobeys.    "  He  that  honoreth 

603.   This  day.       "  The   Lord  not   the   Son,   honoreth  not  the 

hath   said    unto   me,   Thou    art  Father  which   hath   sent  him.' 

Day  son  ;  this  day  have  I  begotten  John  v.  23. — breaks  uninn,  breaks 

thee."    Psalm  ii.  7.  the  union  just  described. 

607.  by  myself  "  I  have  sworn 


Book  v.]  PARADISE  LOST.  155 

Into  utter  darkness,  deep  ingulfed,  bis  place 
Ordained,  without  redemption,  without  end.'  615 

"  So  spake  the   Omnipotent,  and  with  his  words 
All  seemed  well  pleased  ;  all  seemed,  but  were  not  all 
That  day,  as  otber  solemn  days,  they  spent 
In  song  and  dance  about  the  sacred  hill ; 
Mystical  dance,  which  yonder  starry  sphere  63M 

Of  planets  and  of  fixed  in  all  her  wheels 
Resembles  nearest,  mazes  intricate, 
Eccentric,  intervolved,  yet  regular 
Then  most,  when  most  irregular  they  seem ; 
And  in  their  motions  harmony  divine  626 

So  smooths  her  charming  tones,  that  God's  OAvn  ear 
Listens  delighted.      Evening  now  approached 
(For  we  have  also  our  evening  and  our  morn, 
We  ours  for  change  delectable,  not  need)  ; 
Forthw^ith  from  dance  to  sweet  repast  they  turn       630 
Desirous  ;  all  in  circles  as  they  stood, 
Tables  are  set,  and  on  a  sudden  piled 
With  angels'  food,  and  rubied  nectar  flows 
[n  pearl,  in  diamond,  and  massy  gold, 
Fruit  of  delicious  vines,  the  growth  of  Heaven.        635 
On  flowers  reposed  and  with  fresh  flowerets  crowned, 
They  eat,  they  drink,  and  in  communion  sweet 
Quaff  immortality  and  joy,  secure 
Of  surfeit  where  full  measure  only  bounds 
Excess,  before  the  all-bounteous  King,  avIio  showered 
With  copious  hand,  rejoicing  in  their  joy.  641 

Now  when  ambrosial  night,  with  clouds  exhaled 
From    that    high  mount  of   God   whence   light  aud 
shade 

621.  j^xff/,   fixed  stars.  — her,        639    only^  alone, 
its.  —  7t'/i/'i?/.>!,  revolutions-  640.    showered^    Blioweied    his 

633.  rubied,  ruby -red.  gifts. 

638.  secure  of^  safe  from  ;  -with- 
out danger  of. 


\ 


156  PARADISE  LOST,  [Book  V. 

Spring  both,  the  face  of  brightest  heaven  had  changed 
To  grateful  twilight  (for  night  comes  not  there  645 
In  darker  veil),  and  roseate  dews  disposed 

'     All  but  the  unsleeping  eyes  of  God  to  rest; 

'      Wide  over  all  the  plain,  and  wider  far 

Than  all  this  globous  earth  in  plain  outspread 
(Such  are  the  courts  of  God)  the  angelic  throng,    650 
,X..   Dispersed  in  bands  and  files,  their  camp  extend 

■"     By  living  streams  among  the  trees  of  life, 
Pavilions  numberless  and  sudden  reared, 
Celestial  tabernacles,  where  they  slept 
Fanned  with  cool  winds,  save  those  who  in  their  course 
Melodious  hymns  about  the  sovran  throne  656 

Alternate  all  night  long :  but  not  so  waked 
Satan  (so  call  him  now,  his  former  name 
Is  heard  no  more  in  Heaven)  ;  he  of  the  first. 
If  not  the  first  archangel,  great  in  power,  660 

In  favor  and  preeminence,  yet  fraught 
With  envy  against  the  Son  of  God,  that  day 
Honored  by  his  great  Father,  and  proclaimed 
Messiah,  king  anointed,  could  not  bear  664 

Through  pride  that  sight,  and  thought  himself  im- 
paired. 
Deep  malice  thence  conceiving  and  disdain. 
Soon  as  midnight  brought  on  the  dusky  hour 
Friendliest  to  sleep  and  silence,  he  resolved 
With  all  his  legions  to  dislodge,  and  leave 
Unworshipped,  unobeyed  the  throne  supreme,  670 

Contemptuous,  and  his  next  subordinate 
Awakening,  thus  to  him  in  secret  spake : 

652.  livhig  streams.    See  Reve-  664.  ilfl?5.^?■a/^  is  a  Hebrew  word, 

ation  vii.  17.  meaning  Anointed.      The   Greffe 

655.  in  their  course.  This  prob-  word  Christ  has  the  same  signi 

ably  refers  to  the  service  of  the  fication. 

Temple,  performed  by  the  Priests  6lii).  elisl.0'/s;e,  remove  ;  depar* 

and  Levites  in  thoir  courses.    See  671.  his  next  subordinate      Se« 

1   Chronicles    xxiii.,    xx.iv.    and  I   79-Sl. 
Luke  i.  8,  9. 


Book  V.]  PARADISE  LOST.  157 

"  '  Sleep'st  thou,  companion  dear  ?  what  sleep  can 

close 
Thy  eyelids  ?  and  remember'st  what  decree 
Of  yesterday  so  late  hath  passed  the  lips  eVfi 

Of  Heaven's  Almighty  ?      Thou  to  me  thy  thought's 
Wast  wont,  I  mine  to  thee  was  wont  to  impart ; 
Both  waking  we  were  one  ;  how  then  can  now 
Thy  sleep  dissent  ?     New  laws  thou  seest  imposed ; 
New  laws  from    him    who    reigns    new  minds    may 

raise  6S0 

In  us  who  serve,  new  counsels,  to  debate 
What  doubtful  may  ensue :  more  in  this  place 
To  utter  is  not  safe.      Assemble  thou 
Of  all  those  myriads  which  we  lead  the  chief; 
Tell  them  that  by  command,  ere  yet  dim  night       686 
Her  shadowy  cloud  withdraAvs,  I  am  to  haste, 
And  all  who  under  me  their  banners  wave, 
Homeward  witli  flying  march  where  we  possess 
The  quarters  of  the  North  ;  there  to  prepare 
Fit  entertainment  to  receive  our  King,  690 

The  great  Messiah,  and  his  new  commands. 
Who  speedily  through  all  the  hierarchies 
Intends  to  pass  triumphant  and  give  laws.' 

"  So  spake  the  false  Archangel,  and  infused 
Bad  influence  into  the  unwary  breast  696 

Of  his  associate  :  he  together  calls, 
Or  several  one  by  one,  the  regent  powers, 
Under  him  regent  ;  tells,  as  he  was  taught. 
That,  the  Most  High  commanding,  now  ere  night, 
Now  ere  dim  night  had  disencumbered  Heaven,      700 
The  great  hierarchal  standard  was  to  move  ; 

679.  dissevt^  show  difference  of        698.  him^  their  leader,  Satan, 
feeling,  or  want  of  sympathy.  699.  See  I'ne  685. 

689.  the  North.  See  Isaiah  xiv.        700.  had,   should  have  — dis- 

13,14.  encumbtred  Heaven,  left  lleaven 

697.  several,  severally.  clear. 


158  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  V 

Tells  the  suggested  cause,  and  casts  between 
Ambiguous  words  and  jealousies,  to  sound 
Or  taint  integrity.      But  all  obeyed 
The  wonted  signal,  and  superior  voice  701 

Of  their  great  potentate  ;  for  great  indeed 
His  name,  and  high  was  his  degree  in  Heaven ; 
His  countenance,  as  the  morning  star  that  guides 
The  starry  flock,  allured  them,  and  with  lies 
Drew  after  him  the  third  part  of  Heaven's  host.       710 
Meanwhile  the  eternal  eye,  whose  sight  discerns 
Abstrusest  thoughts,  from  forth  his  holy  mount, 
And  from  within  the  golden  lamps  that  burn 
Nightly  before  him,  saw  without  their  light 
Rebellion  rising  ;  saw  in  whom,  how  spread  716 

Among  the  sons  of  morn,  what  multitudes 
Were  banded  to  oppose  his  high  decree  : 
And  smiling  to  his  only  Son  thus  said  : 

"  '  Son,  thou  in  whom  my  glory  I  behold 
In  full  resplendence,  Heir  of  all  my  might,  721 

Nearly  it  now  concerns  us  to  be  sure 
Of  our  omnipotence,  and  with  what  arms 
We  mean  to  hold  what  anciently  we  claim 
Of  deity  or  empire  ;  such  a  foe 

Is  rising  who  intends  to  erect  his  throne  721 

Equal  to  ours,  throughout  the  spacious  North  ; 
Nor  so  content,  hath  in  his  thought  to  try 
In  battle  what  our  power  is,  or  our  right. 
Let  us  advise,  and  to  this  hazard  draw 
With  speed  what  force  is  left,  and  all  employ  780 

In  our  defence,  lest  unawares  we  lose 
This  our  high  place,  our  sanctuary,  our  hill.* 

708.  «/ie  morning  -  star.      "0  713.  Zaw?;?.^.  See  Revelation  ir. 6. 

Lucifer,    son  of  the  morning."  727.  so,  with  that, 

tsaiah  xiv.  12.  729.  ar/f/.<e,  consult ;    deliber 

1\^.  the  third  part.    See  Reve-  ate.  — /tazam" .     perilous     enter 

lation  xii.  .3,  4.  prise. 

712    Abs'.rusest^  most  hidden. 


Book  V. ]  PA RA DTSE  LOST.  ] o9 

"  To  whom  the  Son,  witli  cahn  aspect  and  clear, 
Lightning  divine,  ineffable,  serene, 
Made  answer  :   '  INIighty  Father,  thou  th}'  foes  735 

Justly  hast  in  derision,  and  secure 
Laugh'st  at  their  vain  designs  and  tumults  vain, 
Matter  to  me  of  glory,  whom  their  hate 
Illustrates,  when  they  see  all  regal  power 
Given  me  to  quell  their  pride,  and  in  event  740 

Know  whether  I  be  dextrous  to  subdue 
Thy  rebels,  or  be  found  the  worst  in    Heaven.' 

"  So  spake  the  Son ;  but  Satan  with  his  powers 
Far  was  advanced  on  winged  speed,  an  host 
Innumerable  as  the  stars  of  night,  74^ 

Or  stars  of  morning,  dew-drops  which  the  f3un 
Impearls  on  every  leaf  and  every  flower. 
Regions  they  passed,  the  mighty  regencies 
Of  Seraphim  and  Potentates  and  Thrones 
In  their  triple  degrees  ;  regions  to  which  760 

All  thy  dominion,  Adam,  is  no  more 
Than  what  this  garden  is  to  all  the  earth 
And  all  the  sea,  from  one  entire  globose 
Stretched  into  longitude  :  Avhich  having  passed, 
At  length  into  the  limits  of  the  North  76B 

They  came  ;  and  Satan  to  his  royal  seat 
High  on  a  hill  far  blazing,  as  a  mount 
Raised  on  a  mount,  with  p}Tamids  and  towers 
From  diamond  quarries  heAvn  and  rocks  of  gold, 
The  palace  of  great  Lucifer  (so  caU  760 

734.  Lightning,    shining  with  753.  from    one    entire    globost 

tight,  if  the  word  is  a  participle.  stretched  into    longitude,   drawn 

73<.    Laugh'' St.      ''  The    Lord  out  from  a  globular  shape  into 

Bhall  laugh  at  him  ;  for  he  seeth  length. 

that  his  day  is  coming."    Psalm  7of5-766.   "  For  thou  hast  said 

xxxvii.  13.  in  thy  heart,  I  will  ascend  into 

739.  Illustrates,  honors  ;  makes  Heaven,  I  will  exalt  my  throne 
Illustrious.  above  the  stars  of  God  ;  I  will  sit 

740.  in  event,  by  the  result.  also  upon  the  mount  of  the  con- 
747.     Impearls,      turns      into    gregation    in    the    sides    of    the 

Vearls.  North."    Isaiah  xiv.  13. 


160  PARADISE  LOST.  fBooK  V, 

That  structure  in  the  dialect  of  men 

Interpreted),  which  not  long  after  he, 

Affecting  all  equality  with    God, 

In  imitation  of  that  mount  whereon 

Messiah  was  declared  in  sight  of  Heaven,  781 

The  IMountain  of  the  Congregation  called  ; 

For  thither  he  assembled  all  his  train. 

Pretending  so  commanded  to  consult 

About  the  great  reception  of  their  king 

Thither  to  come,  and  Avith  calumnious  art  770 

Of  counterfeited  truth  thus  held  their  ears : 

" '  Thrones,    Dominations,    Princedoms,    Virtues, 
Powers, 
If  these  magnific  titles  yet  remain 
Not  merely  titular,  since  by  decree 
Another  now  hath  to  himself  engrossed  775 

Ail  poAver  and  us  eclipsed  under  the  name 
Of  king  anointed,  for  Avhom  all  this  haste 
Of  midnight  march  and  hurried  meeting  here, 
This  only  to  consult  how  we  may  best 
With  what  may  be  devised  of  honors  new  780 

Receive  him,  coming  to  receive  from  us 
Knee-tribute  yet  unpaid,  prostration  vile. 
Too  much  to  one,  but  double  how  endured. 
To  one  and  to  his  image  now  proclaimed  ? 
But  Avhat  if  better  counsels  might  erect  786 

Our  minds,  and  teach  us  to  cast  off  his  yoke  ! 
Will  ye  submit  your  necks,  and  choose  to  bend 
The  supple  knee  ?     Ye  will  not,  if  I  trust 
To  know  ye  right,  or  if  ye  know  yourselves 
Natives  and  sons  of  Heaven,  possessed  before  790 

By  none,  and  if  not  equal  all,  yet  free, 

768.  Pretending^  pretending  to  one  and  to  him  who  is  now  pro 

have  been.  claimed  his  image ? 

783,  784.  Too  much  to  pay  to  790.  possessed,  owned  ;   inhab 

Due,  but  how  can  it  be  endured  ited. 
when  double,  paid  both  to  that 


Book  v.]  PARADISE  LOST.  161 

Equally  free ;  for  orders  and  degrees 

Jar  not  with  liberty,  but  Avell  consist. 

Who  can  in  reason  then,  or  right,  assume 

Monarchy  over  such  as  live  by  right  791 

His  equals,  if  in  power  and  splendor  less, 

In  freedom  equal  ?  or  can  introduce 

Law  and  edict  on  us,  who  without  law 

Err  not  ?  much  less  for  this  to  be  our  Lord, 

And  look  for  adoration,  to  the  abuse  800 

Of  those  imperial  titles,  which  assert 

Our  being  ordained  to  govern,  not  to  serve.' 

"  Tlius  far  his  bold  discourse  without  control 
Had  audience ;  when  among  the  Seraphim 
Abdiel,  than  whom  none  with  more  zeal  adored      805 
The  Deity,  and  divine  commands  obeyed. 
Stood  up,  and  in  a  flame  of  zeal  severe, 
The  current  of  his  fury  thus  opposed : 

" '  O  argument  blasphemous,  false,  and  proud  I 
Words  which  no  ear  ever  to  hear  in  Heaven  feiO 

Expected,  least  of  all  from  thee,  ingrate, 
In  place  thyself  so  high  above  thy  peers. 
Canst  thou  with  impious  obloquy  condemn 
The  just  decree  of  God,  pronounced  and  SAVorn, 
That  to  his  only  Son,  by  right  endued  815 

With  regal  sceptre,  every  soul  in  Heaven 
Shall  bend  the  knee,  and  in  that  honor  due 
Confess  him  rightful  king  ?     Unjust,  thou  say'st. 
Flatly  unjust,  to  bind  with  laws  the  fi-ee, 
And  equal  over  equals  to  let  reign,  83U 

One  over  all  with  unsucceeded  power. 

793.  consist,     are    consistent  ;  800.  to  tjte  abuse  of,  abusing  or 

ag'.'ee.  disparaging ;  perverting. 

799.  for  this,  on  ttiis  account ;  801.  See  line  772 

on  accouni  of  these  orders  and  804.  Had  audience,  was  heard- 

degrees.  —  to  be,  assume  or  claim  821.   unsucceeded,     in     which 
to  be. 

11 


|'j2  PARADnE  LOST.  [BookV 

Shalt  thou  give  law  to  God  ?  shalt  thou  dispute 

With  him  the  points  of  liberty,  who  made 

Thee  what  thou  art,  and  formed  the  powers  of  Heaven 

Such  as  he  pleased,  and  circumscribed  their  being  ? 

Yet,  by  experience  taught,  we  know  how  good,       826 

And  of  our  good  and  of  our  dignity 

How  provident  he  is,  how  far  from  thought 

To  make  us  less,  bent  rather  to  exalt 

Gur  happy  state,  under  one  head  more  near  830 

United.     But  to  grant  it  thee  unjust 

That  equal  over  equals  monarch  reign  — 

Thyself  though  great  and  glorious  dost  thou  count, 

Or  all  angelic  nature  joined  in  one. 

Equal  to  him,  begotten  Son  ?  by  whom,  835 

As  by  his  Word,  the  mighty  Father  made 

All  things,  even  thee  ;  and  all  tlie  spirits  of  Heaven 

By  him  created  in  their  bright  degrees, 

Crowned  them  with  glory,  and  to  their  glory  named 

Thrones,  Dominations,  Princedoms,  Virtues,  Powers, 

Essential  Powers  ;  nor  by  his  reign  obsoured,  841 

But  more  illustrious  made  ;  since  he  the  head 

One  of  our  number  thus  reduced  becomes, 

His  laws  our  laws ;  all  honor  to  him  done 

Returns  our  own.      Cease  then  this  impious  rage,    846 

And  tempt  not  these ;  but  hasten  to  appease 

The  incensed  Father,  and  the  incensed  Son, 

While  pardon  may  be  found,  in  time  besought.' 

there  is  no  succession ;  everlast-  833.  As  by  his  Word.   See  John 

Ing.  i.  1-3. 

822.  "  WTio  art  tt  oit  that  re-  838.  created  governs  spirits. 

pliest  against  God?  ^     Romans  839.  nained  them. 

ix.  20.  841.  Essential  Powers,  in  their 

831.^0    grant    it  thee  unjust,  very  being  powerful.  —  oiscwrerf, 

granting  to  thee  that  it  is  unjust,  obscured  them. 

835.  by  ivhom.     ''  For  by  him  846.  hasten   to    appease.      See 

were  all  things  created  that  are  Psalm  ii.  12. 

in  heaven  and  that  are  in  earth,  848.   While     pardon    may     be 

visible    and    invisible,    whether  found.      "  Seek    ye    the    Lord 

they  be  thrones,  or  dominions,  "while  he  may  be  found  "    Isaiah 

or    principalities,    or    powers."  Iv.  6. 
Colo.ssdans  i.  16. 


"J  - 


SookV.]  paradise  lost.  163 

"  So  spake  the  fervent  angel  ;  but  his  zeal 
None  seconded,  as  out  of  season  judged  85<5 

S^r  singular  and  rash  ;  whereat  rejoiced 
The  Apostate,  and  more  haughty  thus  replied  : 
'  That  we  were  formed    then  say'st  thou  ?  and  the 

work 
Of  secondary  hands,  by  task  transferred 
From  Father  to  his  Son  ?   Strange  point  and  new  ! 
Doctrine  which  we  would  know  whence  learned.    Who 

saw  856 

When  this  creation  was  ?  remember'st  thou 
Thy  making,  while  the  Maker  gave  thee  being  ? 
We  know  no  time  when  we  were  not  as  now ; 
Know  none  before  us,  self-begot,  self-raised  860 

By  our  OAvn  quickening  power,  Avhen  fatal  course 
Had  circled  his  full  orb,  the  birth  mature 
Of  this  our  native  Heaven,  ethereal  sons. 
Our  puissance  Is  our  own ;  our  own  right  hand 

Shall  teach  us  highest  deeds,  by  proof  to  try  865  s.J^ 

Who  is  our  equal :  then  thou  shalt  behold 
Whether  by  supplication  we  intend 
Address,  and  to  begirt  the  almighty  throne 
Beseeching  or  besieging.      This  report, 
These  tidings  carry  to  the  anointed  king ;  870 

And  fly,  ere  evil  intercept  thy  flight.' 

"  He  said  ;  and,  as  the  sound  of  waters  deep, 
Hoai'se  murmur  echoed  to  his  words  applause 
Through  the  Infinite  host ;  nor  less  for  that 
The  flaming  Seraph,  fearless  though  alone,  876 

Encompassed  round  with  foes,  thus  answered  bold  : 

"  '  O  alienate  from  God,  O  spirit  accursed, 
Vorsaken  of  all  good  !  I  see  thy  fall 

SQL  fatal  course,  course  of  fate,    lips   are  our  own;   TCho  is  lord 
S64.  "  AVho    have   said,   AVith    oyer  us?"    Psalm  xii.  4 
9Ur  tongue  will  we  prevail ;  our 


-^ 


164  PARADISE  LOST.  [BookV 

Determined,  and  thy  hapless  crew  involved 

In  this  perfidious  fraud,  contagion  spread  88C 

Both  of  thy  crime  and  punishment.      Henceforth 

No  more  be  troubled  how  to  quit  the  yoke 

Of  God's  Messiah  ;  those  Indulgent  laws 

Will  not  be  now  vouchsafed,  other  decrees 

Against  thee  are  gone  forth  without  recall ;  88B 

That  golden  sceptre  which  thou  didst  reject 

Is  now  an  iron  rod  to  bruise  and  break 

Thy  disobedience.     Well  thou  didst  advise ; 

Yet  not  for  thy  advice  or  threats  I  fly 

These  wicked  tents  devoted,  lest  the  wrath  880 

Impendent,  raging  into  sudden  flame, 

Distinguish  not ;  for  soon  expect  to  feel 

His  thunder  on  thy  head,  devouring  fire. 

Then  Avho  created  thee  lamenting  learn, 

When  who  can  uncreate  thee  thou  shalt  know.        885 

"  So  spake  the  seraph  Abdiel,  faithful  found 
Among  the  faithless,  faithful  only  he  ; 
Among  innumerable  false,  unmoved, 
Unshaken,  unseduced,  unterrified. 
His  loyalty  he  kept,  his  love,  his  zeal ;  90C 

Nor  number  nor  example  with  him  wrought 
To  swerve  from  truth,  or  change  his  constant  mind, 
Though  single.      From  amidst  them  forth  he  passed, 
Long  way  through  hostile  scorn,  which  he  sustained 
Superior,  nor  of  violence  feared  aught  ;  905 

And  with  retorted  scorn  his  back  he  turned 
On  those  proud  towers  to  swift  destruction  doomed. 

890.  See  Numbers  xvi.  2^-26.        891.  Liipendent,  threatenlns 
■^devoted.,  doomed.  906.  retorted^  thrown  back. 


BOOK    VI. 

THE  ARGUMENT. 

Raphael  continues  to  relate  how  Michael  and  Gabi^cl  were  sent 
torth  to  battle  against  Satan  and  his  angels.  Ihe  first  fight  de- 
Bcrihed.  Satan  and  his  powers  retire  under  night.  He  calls  a 
council,  invents  devilish  engines,  which  in  the  second  day's  fight 
put  Michael  and  his  angels  to  some  disorder  ;  but  they  at  length, 
pulling  up  mountains,  overwhelmed  both  the  force  and  machines 
of  Satan.  Yet  the  tumult  not  so  ending,  God  on  the  third  day 
sends  Messiah  his  Son,  for  whom  he  had  reserved  the  glory  of  that 
victory  :  he.  in  the  power  of  his  Father,  coming  to  the  place,  and 
causing  all  his  legions  to  stand  still  on  either  side,  with  his  chariot 
and  thunder  driving  into  the  midst  of  his  enemies,  pursues  them, 
unable  to  resist,  towards  the  wall  of  Heaven  ;  which  opening,  they 
leap  down  with  horror  and  confusion  into  the  place  of  punishment 
prepared  for  them  in  the  deep.  Messiah  returns  with  triumph  to 
his  Father. 

"  All  night  the  dreadlcss  angel,  unpursued, 
Through  Heaven's  wide  champain  held  his  way,  till 

Morn, 
Waked  by  the  circling  Hours,  with  rosy  hand 
Unbarred  the  gates  of  light.      There  is  a  cave 
Within  the  mount  of  God,  fast  by  his  throne,  6 

Where  light  and  darkness  in  perpetual  round 
Lodge  and  dislodge  by  turns,  which  makes  through 

Heaven 
Grateful  vicissitude,  like  day  and  night ; 
Light  issues  forth,  and  at  the  other  door 
Obsequious  darkness  enters,  till  her  hour  IC 

1.  the  dreadless  angel.    See  V.  entrvisted  with  the  task  of  keep 

896-907.  ing  the  gates  of  Iloiiven. 
1.  Morn.     SeeV.  1.  b.  fast  h,j.     See  I.  12. 

8.  The  Hours  (see  IV.  2G7)  were  10.  till,  aud  remams  tiU 


166  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VI 

To  veil  the  heaven ;  though  darkness  there  might  well 
Seem  twilight  here.     And  now  went  forth  the  morn 
Such  as  in  highest  Heaven,  arrayed  in  gold 
Empyreal  ;  from  before  her  vanished  night, 
Shot  through  with  orient  beams  ;  when  all  the  plain.    15 
Covered  with  thick  embattled  squadrons  bright, 
Chariots,  and  flaming  arms,  and  fiery  steeds, 

Reflecting  blaze  on  blaze,  first  met  his  view.     -  i''jf9\ 

War  he  perceived,  war  in  product,  and  found     :^;       i  ^j,4?yM^ 
Already  known  what  he  for  news  had  thought  J 'V'"^^'^  ^r---*'^ 
To  have  reported  :  gladly  then  he  mixed  '  'i'^  11^  ^ 

Among  those  friendly  powers,  Avho  hiin-TBeeive3^*^J^i.jLi^'y     y 
With  joy  and  acclamations  loud,  that  one,  (U  /'/j^v^  *' 

That  of  so  many  myriads  fallen  yet  one  | 

Returned  not  lost.      On  to  the  sacred  hill  2£ 

They  led  him  high  applauded,  and  present 
Before  the  seat  supreme  ;  from  whence  a  voice 
From  midst  a  golden  cloud  thus  mild  was  heard  : 

"  '  Servant  of  God,  well  done  ;  well  hast  thou  fought 
The  better  fight,  who  single  hast  maintained  30 

Against  revolted  multitudes  the  cause 
Of  truth,  in  word  mightier  than  they  in  arms ; 
And  for  the  testimony  of  truth  hast  borne 
Universal  reproach,  far  worse  to  bear 
Than  violence ;  for  this  was  all  thy  care,  85 

To  stand  approved  in  sight  of  God,  though  worlds 
Judged  thee  perverse :  the  easier  conquest  now 
Remains  thee,  aided  by  this  host  of  friends, 
Back  on  thy  foes  more  glorious  to  return 
Than  scorned  thou  didst  depart,  and  to  subdue        40 

19.  in  prorinct,  in  preparation.        80.   The  better  ,/inht.      "  Figho 

The  Latin  "  in  procinctu  "  means  the  good  fight  of  faith."    1  Tim. 

girded  in  readiness  to  fight.  vi.  12. 

29.  Servant  of  God.      This  is        33.  approved.    See  2  Tim.    U 

the  signification  of  the  Uebrew  15. 
Tord  Abdiel.    See  V.  896.  38.  thee,  to  thee 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  167 

By  force  who  reason  for  their  law  refuse, 

Right  reason  for  their  laAv,  and  for  their  king 

Messiah,  who  by  right  of  merit  reigns. 

Go,  Michael,  of  celestial  armies  prince,  _  _  __-* 

And  thou,  in  military  prowess  next,  45 

Gabriel,  lead  forth  to  battle  these  my  sons 

Invincible  ;  lead  forth  my  armed  saints  \J         4 

By  thousands  and  by  millions  ranged  for  fight,       yTl,4),.jt/^ 

Equal  in  number  to  that  godless  crew 

Rebellious;  then  with  fire  and  hostile  arms  60 

Fearless  assault,  and  to  the  brow  of  Heaven  v^rf^ 

Pursuing  drive  them  out  from  God  and  bliss. 

Into  their  place  of  punishment,  the  gulf         ,      ''iH^  -'• '^-^ 

Of  Tartarus,  which  ready  opens  wide         .^Z^  ^^'^     * 

His  fiery  chaos  to  receive  their  fall.'  ^k  -^  ■'  &5  '"  * 

"  So  spake  the  sovran  voice,  and  clouds  began  — ^ 

To  darken  all  the  hill,  and  smoke  to  roll  "^^^^ 

In  dusky  wreaths  reluctant  flames,  the  sign  ^^ 

Of  wrath  awaked  ;  nor  with  less  dread  the  loud 

Ethereal  trumpet  from  on  high  gan  blow  :  60  ^  ^" 

At  Avhicli  command  the  powers  militant 

That  stood  for  Heaven,  in  mighty  quadrate  joined 

Of  union  irresistible,  moved  on 

In  silence  their  bright  legions  to  the  sound 

Of  instrumental  harmony,  that  breathed  6S 

Heroic  ardor  to  adventurous  deeds.(___ 

Under  their  godhke  leaders,  in  the  cause 

Of  God  and  his  Messiah.      On  they  move 

Indissolubly  firm  ;  nor  obvious  hill, 

Nor  straitening  vale,  nor  wood,  nor  stream  divides    70 

41.  ?t'/io,  those  who.  58.  r*'?Mc<anf,  struggling  ;  forc- 

44.  Mic/iad.    See  Daniel  X.  13 ;  ing  their  waj'. 
ttevelation  xii.  7.  60.  gan  blow,  began  to  blow. 

46.   Gabrid    is    mentioned    in        62.  stood  for,  wove  on  the  side 

Daniel  viii.  16 ;    also  in  Luke  i.  of.  —  quadrate,  sfxuare  or  quad- 

19, 26.  tangle. 

54.   Tartarus.  See  II.  858.  69.     obvious,    coming    in    tha 

%   His,  its.  way. 


l68 


PARADISE  LOST. 


[Book  VI 


Their  perfect  ranks ;  for  high  above  the  ground 
Their  march  was,  and  the  passive  air  upbore 
Their  nimble  tread  :  as  when  the  total  kind 
Of  birds,  in  orderly  array  on  wing, 
Came  summoned  over  Eden  to  receive  is 

Their  names  of  thee ;  so  over  many  a  tract 
Of  Heaven  they  marched,  and  many  a  province  wide, 
Tenfold  the  length  of  this  terrene.      At  last, 
Far  in  the  horizon  to  the  north  appeared 
From  skirt  to  skirt  a  fiery  region,  stretched  80 

In  battailous  aspect,  and  nearer  view 
Bristled  with  upright  beams  innumerable 
Of  rigid  spears,  and  helmets  thronged,  and  shields 
Various  with  boastful  argument  portrayed, 
The  banded  powers  of  Satan  hasting  on 
AVIth  furious  expedition ;  for  they  Aveened 
That  selfsame  day,  by  fight  or  by  surprise, 
To  win  the  mount  of  God,  and  on  his  throne 
To  set  the  envier  of  his  state,  the  proud 
Aspirer  ;  but  their  thoughts  proved  fond  and  vain 
In  the  midway.      Though  strange  to  us  it  seemed 
At  first  that  angel  should  with  angel  war 
And  in  fierce  hosting  meet,  who  wont  to  meet 
So  oft  in  festival  of  joy  and  love 
Unanimous,  as  sons  of  one  great  sire. 
Hymning  the  eternal  Father ;  but  the  shout 
Of  battle  now  began,  and  rushing  sound 
^f  onset  ended  soon  each  milder  thought. 
High  in  the  midst,  exalted  as  a  god, 
The  Apostate  in  his  sun-bright  chariot  sat, 
Idol  of  majesty  divine,  enclosed 


^^ 


100 


73.  the  total  kind,  all  the  race. 
75.  Came.  See  Genesis  ii.  19. 
78.  terrene,  earthly  province. 

82.  beamx.    perhaps  shafts. 

83.  thro7Jged,  in  throngs. 

W.  argument,  subject ;  design. 


pro- 


83.  weened,     thought ; 
posed. 

90.  fond,  foolish. 

93.  /io.f«/«o-,  mustering; 
hling  of  troops. 

101.  Idol,  image  ;    counterfeit 
represeutatiou 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  169 

With  flaming  cherubim  and  goklcn  shields  ; 

Then  lighted  from  his  gorgeous  throne,  for  now 

'Twixt  host  and  host  but  narrow  space  was  left, 

A  dreadful  interval,  and  front  to  front  106 

Presented  stood  in  terrible  array 

Of  hideous  length  ;  before  the  cloudy  van, 

On  the  rough  edge  of  battle  ere  it  joined, 

Satan,  with  vast  and  haughty  strides  advan^d, 

Came  towering,  armed  in  adamant  and  go\^  HO 

Abdiel  that  sight  endured  not,  where  he  stood 

Among  the  mightiest,  bent  on  highest  deeds. 

And  thus  his  own  undaunted  heart  explores : 

" '  O    Heaven !     that    such    resemblance    of    the 
Highest 
Should  yet  remain,  where  faith  and  realty  115 

Remain  not  :  wherefore  should  not  strength  and  might 
There  fail  where  virtue  fails,  or  weakest  prove 
Where  boldest,  though  to  sight  unconquerable  ? 
His  puissance,  trusting  in  the  Almighty's  aid 
I  mean  to  try,  whose  reason  I  have  tried  121 

Unsound  and  false ;  nor  is  it  aught  but  just, 
That  he  who  in  debate  of  truth  hath  won 
Should  win  in  arms,  in  both  disputes  alike 
Victor ;  though  brutish  that  contc'st  and  foul 
When  reason  hath  to  deal  with  force,  yet  so  125 

Most  reason  is  that  reason  overcome.' 

"  So  pondering,  anl  from  his  armed  peers. 
Forth  stepping  opposite,  half  way  he  met 


108.  edge  of  battle.  The  same  115.  tealty,  reality;  unless^  it 
word  in  Latin  means  botli  edge  be  loyalty,  from  the  Italian 
and  line  of  battle.    See  I.  276.  "  real  tilt." 

109.  advanced^  having  ad-  _  118.  to  signt,  as  it  appears  t« 
vanced.  sight. 

113.  explores,  searches  and  (x-  120.  tried  and  found  to  be. 
presses 


^ 


170  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VI 

His  daring  foe,  at  this  prevention  more  sT'^X 

Incensed,  and  thus  securely  him  defied :  lao  C^l^ 

"  '  Proud,  art  tliou  met  ?    tby  hope  was  to  have 
reached 
The  height  of  thy  aspiring  unopposed, 
The  throne  of  God  unguarded,  and  his  side 
Abandoned  at  the  terror  of  thy  power  \j^ 

Or  potent  tongue  :  fool,  not  to  think  how  vain        13" 
Against  the  Omnipotent  to  rise  in  arms  ! 
Who  out  of  smallest  things  could  without  end 
Have  raised  incessant  armies  to  defeat  "^ 

Thy  folly  ;  or  with  solitary  hand,  ">-' 

Reaching  beyond  all  limit,  at  one  blow  140 

Unaided  could  have  finished  thee,  and  whelmed 
Thy  legions  under  darkness.     But  thou  seest 
All  are  not  of  thy  train ;  there  be  who  faith 
Prefer  and  piety  to  God,  though  then 
To  thee  not  visible  when  I  alone  145 

Seemed  in  thy  world  erroneous  to  dissent 
From  all ;  my  sect  thou  seest :  now  learn  too  late 
How  few  sometimes  may  know,  when  thousands  err. 

"  Whom  the  grand  foe,  with  scornful  eye  askance, 
Thus  answered  :  '  111  for  thee,  but  in  wished  hour   150 
Of  my  revenge,  first  sought  for,  thou  return'st 
From  flight,  seditious  angel,  to  receive 
Thy  merited  reward,  the  first  assay 
Of  this  right  hand  provoked,  since  first  that  tongue, 
Inspired  with  contradiction,  durst  oppose  15S 

A  third  part  of  the  gods,  in  synod  met 

129.  prevention,  anticipation.  148.  How  feiv,   one,   or    onlj 

130.  secKrfly,  Mithout  fear.  one. 
139.  solitari/,  single.  150.  Ill,  unhappily. 

146.  erroneous,    misled ;    mis-        151.  first  souifiit  for,  whom  I 
aken.  sought  first  to  meet. 

147.  my  sent,  my  party. 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  171 

Their  deities  to  assert,  who,  while  they  feel 

Vigor  divine  within  them,  can  allow 

Omnipotence  to  none.     But  well  thou  com'st 

Before  thy  fellows,  ambitious  to  win  160 

From  me  some  plume,  that  thy  success  may  show 

Destruction  to  the  rest :  this  pause  between 

(Unanswered  lest  thou  boast)  to  let  thee  know, 

At  first  I  thought  that  liberty  and  Heaven 

To  heavenly  souls  had  been  all  one ;  but  now  165 

I  see  that  most  through  sloth  had  rather  serve, 

Ministering  spirits,  trained  up  in  feast  and  song  : 

Such  hast  thou  armed,  the  minstrelsy  of  Heaven, 

ServiUty  with  freedom  to  contend,  1G9 

As  both  their  deeds  compared  this  day  shall  prove.^; 


"  To  whom  in  brief  thus  Abdiel  stern  replied  : 
'  Apostate,  still  thou  err'st,  nor  end  wilt  find 
Of  erring,  from  the  faith  of  truth  remote  : 
Unjustly  thou  deprav'st  it  with  the  name 
Of  servitude,  to  serve  whom  God  ordains  ^'^ 

Or  Nature ;   God  and  Nature  bid  the  same. 
When  he  who  rules  is  worthiest,  and  excels 
Them  whom  he  governs.     This  is  servitude. 
To  serve  the  unwise,  or  him  who  hath  rebelled 
Against  his  worthier,  as  thine  now  serve  thee,  ISO 

Thyself  not  free,  but  to  thyself  enthralled  ; 
Yet  lewdly  dar'st  our  ministering  upbraid. 
Reign  thou  in  Hell,  thy  kingdom ;  let  me  serve 
In  Heaven  God  ever  blest,  and  his  divine 
Behests  obey,  worthiest  to  be  obeyed  :  ^    18J 

Yet  chains  in  Hell,  not  realms,  expect ;  meanwhile 

161.  success,  fortune  ;    ill  sue-  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation  ?  "  H« 

cesF.  t)rews  i.  1-1. 

167      Ministering     spirits,     as        17.3.  remote,  fixr  Tcmo\ed. 
loinisterin^   spirits.     "  Arc  they        11-i.  deprav'st,  diifumest. 
aot  all  ministering  spirits,  sent        175    whotn,  bim  whom, 
forth  to  uiinister  for  them  who        182    lewdltj,  wickedly 


172  PARADISE  LOST. 

From  me  returned,  as  erst  tbou  salclst,  from  flight, 
This  greeting  on  thy  impious  crest  receive.' 

"  So  saying,  a  noble  stroke  he  lifted  high, 
Which  hung  not,  but  so  swift  ^^■ith  tempest  fell 
On  the  proud  crest  of  Satan,  that  no  sight, 
Nor  motion  of  swift  thought,  less  could  his  shield 
Such  ruin  intercept :  ten  paces  huge 
lie  back  recoiled  ;  the  tenth  on  bended  knee 
His  massy  spear  upstayed  ;  as  if  on  earth 
Winds  under  ground,  or  waters  forcing  way, 
Sidelong  had  pushed  a  mountain  from  his  seat, 
Half  sunk  with  all  his  pines.      Amazement  seized 
Tlie  rebel  thrones,  but  greater  rage,  to  see 
Thus  foiled  their  mightiest ;  ours  joy  filled,  and  shout. 
Presage  of  victory,  and  fierce  desire  201 

Of  battle,  whereat  Michael  bid  sound  _ 

The  archangel  trumpet :  through  the  vast  of  Heaven       ?"S^ 
It  sounded,  and  the  faithful  armies  rung  '^te- 

Hosanna    to  the  Highest ;  nor  stood  at  gaze  206      ^^?~" 

The  adverse  legions,  nor  less  hideous  joined  '^  /"^ 

The  horrid  shock.      Now  storming  fury  rose,  C9^ 

And  clamor  such  as  heard  in  Heaven  till  now 
Was  never ;  arms  on  armor  clashing  brayed 
Horrible  discord,  and  the  madding  wheels  210 

Of  brazen  chariots  raged  ;  dire  was  the  noise 
Of  conflict ;  overhead  the  dismal  hiss 
Of  fiery  darts  in  flaming  volleys  flew, 
And  flying  vaulted  either  host  with  fire. 
So  under  fiery  coj)e  together  rushed  211 

Both  battles  main,  with  ruinous  assault 
And  inextinguishable  rage  ;  all  Heaven 

190.  hung,  lingered ;   delayed,  tenth    being    the   object    of   th« 

—  temj-fst,  fury  ;  violence.  verb. 

192.  less,  still  less.  21'1.  vaulted,  covered  as  witfc 

195.  his  massi/  spKir.     See  I.  an  arch. 
i^2-^^.  —  upstayed,  held  up,  the        216.  bailies,  hosts 


% 


^ 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  173 

Resounded,  and  had  Earth  been  then,  all  Earth 

Had  to  her  centre  shook.     What  wonder  ?  when 

Millions  of  fierce  encountering  angels  fought  22C 

On  either  side,  the  least  of  whom  could  wield 

These  elements,  and  arm  him  with  the  force 

Of  all  their  regions  :  how  much  more  of  power 

Army  against  army  numberless  to  raise 

Dreadful  combustion  warring,  and  disturb  225 

Though  not  destroy  their  happy  native  seat ;, 

Had  not  the  eternal  king  omnipotent 

From  his  stronghold  of  Heaven  high  oveiTuled 

And  limited  their  might ;  though  numbered  such 

As  each  divided  legion  might  have  seemed  230 

A  numerous  host,  In  strength  each  armed  hand 

A  legion ;  led  in  fight,  yet  leader  seemed 

Each  warrior  single  as  In  chief,  expert 

Wlien  to  advance,  or  stand,  or  turn  the  sway 

Of  battle,  open  when,  and  when  to  close  235 

The  ridges  of  grim  war  :  no  thought  of  flight, 

None  of  retreat,  no  unbecoming  deed 

That  argued  fear ;  each  on  himself  relied, 

As  only  in  his  arm  the  moment  lay 

Of  victory.     Deeds  of  eternal  fame  240 

Were  done,  but  infinite,  for  wide  was  spread 

That  war  and  various  ;  sometimes  on  firm  ground 

A  standing  fight,  then  soaring  on  main  wing 

Tormented  all  the  air ;  all  air  seemed  then 

Conflicting  fire.      Long  time  in  even  scale *      246 

The  battle  hung  ;  till  Satan,  who  that  day 

219.  had    shook,    -would    have        230.  As,  that, 
shaken.  233.  as,   as  if.  —  in    chief,    In 

222.  TViese  elements^  this  world,  command, 
composed  of  elements.  236.  ridges,  rows  or  ranks. 

224.  to  raise,  had  or  possessed        238.  argued,  gave  proof  of. 
to  raise.  239.  wo/nenf,  momentum  ; 

225.  combustion,  confusion,  tur-    power. 

moil.  244.   Tormented,   vexed;    agi- 

529.  numbered   such,  in   such    tated. 
nambers. 


IT-l 


PARADISE  LOST. 


[Book  VT 


Prodigious  power  had  shown,  and  met  in  arms 

No  equal,  ranging  through  the  dire  attack 

Of  fighting  seraphim  confused,  at  length 

Saw  where  the  sword  of  Michael  smote,  and  felled  250 

Squadrons  at  once  ;  Avith  huge  two-handed  sway 

Brandished  aloft  the  horrid  edge  came  down 

Wide  wasting  :  such  destruction  to  withstand 

He  hasted,  and  opposed  the  rocky  orb 

Of  tenfold  adamant,  his  ample  shield,  256 

A  vast  circumference.      At  his  approach 

The  great  Archangel  from  his  warlike  toil 

Surceased,  and  glad,  as  hoping  here  to  end 

Intestine  war  in  Heaven,  the  arch-foe  subdued 

Or  captive  dragged  in  chains,  with  hostile  frown      260 

And  visaire  all  inflamed  first  thus  began  : 


"  '  Author  of  evil,  unknown  till  thy  revolt, 
Unnamed  in  Heaven,  now  plenteous,  as  thou  seest 
These  acts  of  hateful  strife,  hateful  to  all, 
Though  heaviest  by  just  measure  on  thyself  265 

And  thy  adherents  ;  how  hast  thou  disturbed 
Heaven's  blessed  peace,  and  into  Nature  brought 
Misery,  uncreated  till  the  crime 
Of  thy  rebellion  !  how  hast  thou  instilled 
Thy  malice  into  thousands,  once  upright  27U 

^nd  faithful,  now  proved  fiilse  !     But  think  not  here 
To  trouble  holy  rest :     Heaven  casts  thee  out 
From  all  her  confines  ;  Heaven,  the  seat  of  bliss, 
Brooks  not  the  works  of  violence  and  war. 
Hence  then,  and  Evil  go  with  thee  along,  271 

Thy  offspring,  to  the  place  of  evil.  Hell, 
Thou  and  thy  wicked  crew ;  there  mingle  broils ; 
Ere  this  avenging  sword  begin  thy  doom, 


251.  sioay^  swing ;  sweep. 
255.  his  ample  shield.    See  I. 
«84-287. 


258.   Surceased,  ceased. 
263.  plenteous,  abundant. 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  175 

Or  some  more  sudden  vengeance,  winged  from  God, 
Precipitate  thee  with  augmented  pain.'  280 

"  So  spake  the  prince  of  angels  ;  to  whom  thus 
The  Adversary :  '  Nor  think  thou  with  wind 
Of  aery  threats  to  awe  whom  yet  with  deeds 
Thou  canst  not.     Hast  thou  turned  the  least  of  these 
To  flight,  or  if  to  fall,  but  that  they  rise  285 

Unvanquished,  easier  to  transact  with  me 
That  thou  shouldst  hope,  imperious,  and  with  threals 
To  chase  me  hence  ?      Eit  not  that  so  shall  end 
The  strife  Avhich  thou  call'st  evil,  but  we  style 
The  strife  of  glory  ;  which  we  mean  to  win,  290 

Or  turn  this  Heaven  itself  into  the  Hell 
Thou  fablest  ;  here  hoAvever  to  dwell  free. 
If  not  to  reign  :  meanwhile  thy  utmost  force. 
And  join  him  named  Almighty  to  thy  aid, 
I  fly  not,  but  have  sought  thee  far  and  nigh.'  295 

"  They  ended  parle,  and  both  addressed  for  fight 
Unspeakable ;  for  who,  though  with  the  tongue 
Of  angels,  can  relate,  or  to  what  things 
Liken  on  earth  conspicuous,  that  may  lift 
Human  imagination  to  such  height  300 

Of  godlike  power  ?  for  likest  gods  they  seemed, 
Stood  they  or  moved,  in  stature,  motion,  arms, 
Fit  to  decide  the  empire  of  great  Heq^ven. 
Now  waved  their  fiery  swords,  and  in  the  air 
Made  horrid  circles  ;  two  broad  suns  their  shields     305 
Blazed  opposite,  while  expectation  stood 

280.  Precipitate  thee,  hurl  thee  292.  to  dwell,  we  mean  to  dwell, 

headlong.  294.  And  join,   though    thou 

282.  The  Adversary.   See  I.  82.  join. 

283.  ivhoin,  him -whom..  296.  T^arZp,  parley. — addressed 

285.  but  that  they,  only  to.  addres-sed  themselves  ;  prepared 

286.  easier,  that  thou  shonldit  302.   Stood    they     or      moved, 
hope  to  find  it  easier.  —  to  trans-  whether  they  stood  or  Tioved. 
act,  to  deal. 

2SS.  Err  not,  think  not  erring- 
ly  or  mistakenly. 


Ito^^J 


176  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VT 

[n  horror  :  from  each  hand  with  speed  reth-ed,  r^ 

Where  erst  was  thickest  fight,  the  angelic  throng, 

And  left  large  field,  unsafe  within  the  Avind 

Of  such  commotion  ;  such  as  (to  set  forth  31C 

Great  things  by  small)  if,  Nature's  concord  broke, 

Among  the  constellations  war  were  sprung, 

Two  planets  rushing  from  aspect  malign 

Of  fiercest  opposition  in  mid-sky 

Should  combat,  and  their  jarring  spheres  confound. 

Together  both,  with  next  to  almighty  arm  31Q 

UpHfted  imminent,  one  stroke  they  aimed 

That  might  determine,  and  not  need  repeat 

As  not  of  power  at  once ;  nor  odds  appeared 

In  might  or  swift  prevention  ;  but  the  sword  320 

Of  Michael  from  the  armory  of  God 

Was  given  him  tempered  so,  that  neither  keen 

Nor  solid  might  resist  that  edge  :  it  met 

The  sword  of  Satan  with  steep  force  to  smite 

Descending,  and  in  half  cut  sheer  ;  nor  stayed,       325 

But  with  swift  wheel  reverse,  deep  entering  shared 

All  his  right  side ;  then  Satan  first  knew  pain, 

And  writhed  him  to  and  fro  convolved ;  so  sore 

The  griding  sword  with  discontinuous  wound 

Passed  through  him  ;  but  the  ethereal  substance  closed. 

Not  long  divisible  ;  and  from  the  gash  331 

A  stream  of  nectarous  humor  issuing  flowed 

Sanguine,  such  as  celestial  spirits  may  bleed, 

And  all  his  armor  stained,  erewhile  so  bright. 

Forthwith  on  all  sides  to  his  aid  was  run  835 

By  angels  many  and  strong,  who  interposed 

313.  aspect  malign.   According  325.  in  half  cut  sheer,   out  it 

to  the  astrologer.?,  planets  in  op-  quite  in  two. 

;)Osition  to  each  other  were  of  326.  tvith  sivifl  wheel  reverse, 

malign  aspect,  threatening  evil.  •  quickly  turned  upwards. — shared. 

317.  inmiinent,  threatening.  cut. 

318.  determine,    bring    to    an        329.  griding.,  harshly  cutting 
end. — repeat,    to    be    repeated;     — discontinuous.,  SQ:^ex&img. 
rtjpetiUon.  2^b.  ivas  run.    This  is  a  Latin.' 

319.  of  power,  powerful  enough,    ism  ;  the  verb  is  impersonal.  Th« 


B(X)K  VI.] 


PARADISE  LOST. 


Ill 


840 


S15 


350 


Defence,  wLile  others  bore  him  on  their  shields 

Back  to  his  chariot,  where  it  stood  retired 

P'rom  off  the  files  of  war  ;  there  they  him  laid 

Gnashing  for  anguish  and  despite  and  shame, 

To  find  himself  not  matchless  and  his  pride 

Humbled  by  such  rebuke,  so  for  beneath 

His  confidence  to  equal  God  in  power. 

Yet  soon  he  healed ;  for  spirits  that  live  throughout 

Vital  in  every  part,  not  as  frail  man^ 

In  entrails,  heart  or  head,  liver  or  reins, 

Cannot  but  by  annihilating  die ; 

Nor  in  their  liquid  texture  mortal  wound 

Receive,  no  more  than  can  the  fluid  air  : 

All  heart  they  live,  all  head,  all  eye,  all  ear, 

All  intellect,  all  sense ;  and  as  they  please 

They  limb  themselves,  and  color,  shape,  or  size 

Assume,  as  likes  them  best,  condense  or  rare.   - 

"  Ikleanwhile  in  other  parts  like  deeds  deserved 
Memorial,  where  the  might  of  Gabriel  fought. 
And  Avith  fierce  ensigns  pierced  the  deep  array 
Of  Moloch,  furious  king,  who  him  defied. 
And  at  his  chariot-wheels  to  drag  him  bound 
Threatened,  nor  from  the  Holy  One  of  Heaven 
Refrained  his  tongue  blasphemous ;  but  anon, 
Down  cloven  to  the  Avaist,  with  shattered  arms 
And  uncouth  pain  fled  bellowing.      On  each  Aving 
Uriel  and  Raphael  his  vaunting  foe, 
Though  huge  and  in  a  rock  of  diamond  armed, 
Vanquished,  Adramelech  and  Asmadai,  365 

Two  potent  Thrones,  that  to  be  less  than  gods 
Disdained,  but  meaner  thoughts  learned  in  their  flight; 


X 


355 


36C 


N 


\ 


English  idiom  would  be,  angels 
many  and  slrn7ig  ran  to  his  aid. 

346.  In,  only  in. 

362.  limb   themselves,   take   to 
themselves  limbs. 

12 


357.  furious  king.     See  I.  3 

362.  %incoutlu  strange. 

363.  his,  each  his. 

366.   Thrones.    See  Q.  310. 


178 


PARADISE  LOST. 


Book  VI, 


Mangled  with  ghastly  wounds  through  plate  and 
Nor  stood  unmindful  Abdiel  to  annoy 
The  atheist  crew,  but  with  redoubled  blow 
Ariel  and  Arioch  and  the  violence 
Of  Ramiel  scorched  and  blasted  overthrew. 
I  might  relate  of  thousands,  and  their  names 
Eternize  here  on  earth  ;  but  those  elect 
Angels,  contented  with  their  fame  in  Heaven, 
Seek  not  the  praise  of  men :  the  other  sort. 
In  might  though  wondrous  and  in  acts  of  war, 
Nor  of  renown  less  eager,  yet  by  doom 
Cancelled  from  Heaven  and  sacred  memory, 
Nameless  in  dark  oblivion  let  them  dwell ; 
For  strength,  from  truth  divided  and  from  just, 
Illaudable,  nought  merits  but  dispraise 
And  ignominy,  yet  to  glory  aspires 
Vainglorious,  and  through  infamy  seeks  fame  : 
Therefore  eternal  silence  be  their  doom. 


mail. 


870  / 


876 


JS^j 


X 


386 


"  And    now,    their    mightiest  quelled,    the    battle 
swerved. 
With  many  an  inroad  gored ;  deformed  rout 
Entered,  and  foul  disorder ;  all  the  ground 
With  shivered  armor  strewn,  and  on  a  heap 
Chariot  and  charioteer  lay  overturned,  390 

And  fiery  foaming  steeds  ;  what  stood  recoiled 
O'erwearied  through  the  faint  Satanic  host 
Defensive  scarce,  or  with  pale  fear  surprised 
(Then  first  with  fear  surprised  and  sense  of  pain) 
Fled  iirnominious,  to  such  evil  brouirht  895 


868.  plate  and  mail,  the  two 
kinds  of  armor,  one  composed  of 
broad  pieces  of  metal,  the  other 
being  a  kind  of  network. 

374.  Eternize.,  make  immor- 
tal. 

382.  Illaudable,  not  worthy  of    able  to  defend  themselves  — 
praise.  connects  recoiled  and  ^ed. 


886.  battle,  main  body.  Fee 
line  216. 

891.  rvhat  stood  recoiled,  the 
part  which  had  not  fallen  fell 
back. 

393.  Defensive  scarce,  scarcely 


Booryi]  paradise  lost.  179 

By  sin  of  disobedience,  till  tliat  hour  -^ 

Not  liable  to  fear  or  flight  or  pain.  ^CT^' 

Far  otherwise  the  inviolable  saints  ^^ 

In  cubic  phalanx  firm  advanced  entire, 

Invulnerable,  impenetrably  armed  ;  401' 

Such  high  advantages  their  innocence 

Gave  them  above  their  foes,  not  to  have  sinned, 

Not  to  have  disobeyed  ;  in  fight  they  stood 

Unwearied,  unobnoxious  to  be  pained  KW 

By  wound,  though  from  their  place  by  violence  moved, 

"  Now  Night  her  course  began,  and,  over  Heaven  y 

Inducing  darkness,  grateful  truce  imposed,  ^^ 

And  silence  on  the  odious  din  of  war : 
Under  her  cloudy  covert  both  retired, 
Victor  and  vanquished.      On  the  foughten  field       410 
Michael  and  his  angels  prevalent 
Encamping  placed  in  guard  their  watches  round, 
Cherubic  waving  fires  :  on  the  other  part  ^ 
Satan  with  his  rebellious  disappeared, 
Far  in  the  dark  dislodged  ;  and,  void  of  rest,  415 

His  potentates  to  council  called  by  night. 
And  in  the  midst  thus  undismayed  began  : 

" '  0  now  in  danger  tried,  now  known  in  arms 
Not  to  be  overpowered,  companions  dear, 
Found  worthy  not  of  liberty  alone,  420 

Too  mean  pretence,  but,  what  we  more  affect, 
Honor,  dominion,  glory,  and  renown  ; 
Who  have  sustained  one  day  in  doubtful  fight 
(And  if  one  day,  why  not  eternal  days  ?) 
What  Heaven's  lord  had  powerfuUest  to  send  128 

Against  us  from  about  his  throne,  and  judged 

399.  cubic,    square  and    solid.         407.  Inducing,  bringing  ;  letul- 
See  line  62.  ingon.  _ 

404.  unobnoxious,  not  Uable.  411.  prevalent,   having    pro- 

vailed  ;  victorioiis. 


180  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VI 

Sufficient  to  subdue  us  to  his  Avill, 

But  proves  not  so ;  then  fallible,  it  seems, 

Of  future  we  may  deem  him,  though  till  now 

Omniscient  thought.     True  is,  less  firmly  armed    480 

Some  disadvantage  we  endured  and  pain 

Till  now  not  known,  but  known,  as  soon  contemned ; 

Since  now  we  find  this  our  empyreal  form 

Incapable  of  mortal  injury, 

Imperishable,  and,  though  pierced  with  wound,        435 

Soon  closing  and  by  native  vigor  healed. 

Of  evil  then  so  small  as  easy  think 

The  remedy  ;  perhaps  more  valid  arms, 

Weapons  more  violent,  when  next  we  meet, 

May  serve  to  better  us  and  %^'orse  our  foes,  440         ^ 

Or  equal  what  between  us  made  the  odds,  ^ 

In  nature  none  :  if  other  hidden  cause 

Left  them  superior,  while  we  can  preserve 

Unhurt  our  minds  and  understanding  sound, 

Due  search  and  consultation  will  disclose.'  445 

"  He  sat ;  and  in  the  assembly  next  upstood 
Nisroch,  of  principalities  the  prime; 
As  one  he  stood  escaped  from  cruel  fight, 
Sore  toiled,  his  riven  arms  to  havoc  hewn, 
And  cloudy  in  aspect  thus  answering  spake :  450 

Deliverer  from  new  lords,  leader  to  free 
Enjoyment  of  our  right  as  gods  ;  yet  hard 
For  gods  and  too  unequal  work  we  find, 
Against  unequal  arms  to  fight  in  pain. 
Against  unpalned,  impassive  ;  from  which  evil         46£ 
Ruin  must  needs  ensue  ;  for  what  avails 

428.  Biit,  but  which.  447.  In  2  Kings  xix.  37,  Ms- 

429.  Of  future,  with  respect  to    roch  is  a  god  of  the  Assyrians, 
the  future.  449.     tciled,     wearied ;      worn 

430.  is,  it  is.  with  toil. 
432.  But  contemned  as  soon  as        455.  urtpained,  those  who  feel 

Vnown.  no  pain.  —  impassive,  wlio  can 

442.   Fn  nature  none,  there  be-    not  suffer. 
tag  none  in  nature. 


V  n 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  181 

Valor    or  strengih,   tliougli  matcliless,   quelled    witk 

pain 
VVliich  all  subdues,  and  makes  remiss  the  hands 
Of  mightiest  ?     Sense  of  pleasure  we  may  well 
Spare  out  of  life  perhaps,  and  not  repine,  460 

But  live  content,  which  is  the  calmest  life ; 
But  pain  is  pertect  misery,  the  worst 
Of  evils,  and  excessive  overtm-ns 
All  patience.     He  who  therefore  can  invent 
\Vith  what  more  forcible  we  may  ofiend  466 

Our  yet  un wounded  enemies,  or  arm 
Ourselves  with  like  defence,  to  me  deserves 
No  less  than  lor  deliverance  what  we  owe.* 

"  Whereto  with  look  composed  Satan  replied  : 
'  Not  unin vented  that,  which  thou  aright  470 

Believ'st  so  main  to  our  success,  I  bring. 
Which  of  us  who  beholds  the  bright  surliice 
Of  this  ethereous  mould  whereon  we  stand, 
This  continent  of  spacious  Heaven,  adorned  474 

With  plant,  fruit,  flower  ambrosial,  gems,  and  gold, 
Whose  eye  so  superficially  surveys 
These  things  as  not  to  mind  from  whence  they  grow 
Deep  under  ground,  materials  dark  and  crude, 
Of  spirltous  and  fiery  spume,  till  touched 
With  Heaven's  ray  and  tempered  they  shoot  forth 
So  beauteous,  opening  to  the  ambient  light  ?  481 

These  in  their  dark  nativity  the  deep 
Shall  yield  us,  pregnant  with  infernal  flame ; 
Which  into  hollow  engines  long  and  round 
Thick  rammed,  at  the  other  bore  with  touch  of  fire 

465.  offend,  attack  ;  injure.  476.   Whose.     See  line  472. 

467.  to  me,   to  my  miud ;   in  482.  nativity,  native  state  or 
my  opinion.  place. 

468.  u-hat    toe    owe,  what   we  485.  the  other  bore,  the  opening 
should  owe.  at   other  end  of  the  hollow  en 

471 .  main,  important.  gines. 


1 82  PARADISE  L  OS  T.  [Book  Vi 

Dilated  and  infuriate,  shall  send  forth  486 

From  far  with  thundering  noise  among  our  foes 
Such  implements  of  mischief,  as  shall  dash 
To  pieces  and  o'erwhelm  whatever  stands 
Adverse,  that  they  shall  fear  we  have  disarmed       490 
The  Thunderer  of  his  only  dreaded  bolt. 
Nor  long  shall  be  our  labor ;  yet  ere  dawn 
Effect  shall  end  our  wish.     Meanwhile  revive  ; 
Abandon  fear  ;  to  strength  and  counsel  joined 
Think  nothing  hard,  much  less  to  be  despaired."      49£ 

"  He  ended,  and  his  words  their  drooping  cheer 
Enlightened,  and  their  languished  hope  revived. 
The  invention  all  admired,  and  each  how  he 
To  be  the  inventor  missed,  so  easy  it  seemed 
Once    found,    which  yet  unfound    most  would  have 
thought  600 

Impossible  :  yet  haply  of  thy  race,.     , 
In  future  days,  if  malice  should  abound, 
Some  one  intent  on  mischief,  or  inspired 
With  devilish  machination,  might  devise 
Like  instrument  to  plague  the  sons  of  men  5or> 

For  sin,  on  war  and  mutual  slaughter  bent. 
Forthwith  from  council  to  the  work  they  flew ; 
None  arguing  stood  ;  innumerable  hands 
Were  ready  ;  in  a  moment  up  they  turned 
Wide  the  celestial  soil,  and  saw  beneath  510 

The  originals  of  Nature  in  their  crude 
Conception ;  sulphurous  and  nitrous  foam 
They  found,  they  mingled,  and  with  subtle  art 
Concocted  and  adusted  they  reduced 
To  blackest  grain,  and  into  store  conveyed  :  515 

Part  hidden  veins  digged  up  (nor  hath  this  earth 

490.  that,  so  that.  497.  Enlightened,  msLdehnghi 

495.  despaired,  despaired  of.  514.  adusted,  dried  by  heat. 

496.  cheer,   state    of   miud    as 
tzpresBed  iu  tlieir  couuteuauce. 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  183 

Entrails  unlike)  of  mineral  and  stone, 

Whereof  to  found  their  engines  and  their  balls 

Of  missive  ruin ;  part  incentive  reed 

Provide,  pernicious  with  one  touch  to  fire.  620 

So  all  ere  day-spring,  under  conscious  night, 

Secret  they  finished  and  in  order  set, 

With  silent  circumspection,  unespied^ 

/  '  F 

"  Now  when  fair  morn  orient  in  Heaven  appeared, 
Up  rose  the  victor  angels,  "ind  to  arms  525 

The  matin  trumpet  sung  *  in  arms  they  stood 
Of  golden  panoply,  refulgent  host. 
Soon  banded  ;  others  from  the  dawning  hills 
Looked  round,  and  scouts  each  coast  light- armed  scour. 
Each  quarter,  to  descry  the  distant  foe,  530 

Where  lodged,  or  whither  fled,  or  if  for  fight,  ^-. 

In  motion  or  in  halt :  him  soon  they  met  V* 

Under  spread  ensigns  moving  nigh,  in  slow 
But  firm  battalion  ;  back  with  speediest  sail 
Zophiel,  of  cherubim  the  swiftest  wing,  535 

Came  flying,  and  in  mid-air  aloud  thus  cried : 

"  '  Arm,  warriors,  arm  for  fight !  the  foe  at  hand, 
Whom  fled  we  thought,  will  save  us  long  pursuit 
This  day ;  fear  not  his  flight ;  so  thick  a  cloud 
He  comes,  and  settled  in  his  face  I  see  540 

Sad  resolution  and  secure  :  let  each 
His  adamantine  coat  gird  well,  and  each 
Fit  well  his  helm,  gripe  fest  his  orbed  shield. 
Borne  even  or  high ;  for  this  day  will  pour  down. 
If  I  conjecture  aught,  no  drizzling  shower,  545 

But  rattling  storm  of  arrows  barbed  with  fire.' 

518.  /"oKnr/,  cast.    See  I.  703.  521.    conscious,    knowing    to; 

519.  'incentive,  kindling  ;  incen-    being  a  witness  of. 
live  reed,  a  match.  541.   Sad,  serious. 

620.  pernicious.    This  word  is        544.  even  or  high,  level  or  up 
here  perhaps  used  in  the  sense    right 
of  the  Latin  "  pernix,"  quick 


184  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  YI. 

"  So  warned  he  them,  aware  themselves,  and  soon 
In  order,  quit  of  all  impedhnent ; 
Instant  without  disturb  they  took  alarm, 
And  onward  moved  embattled  :   when  behold  550 

Not  distant  far  with  heavy  pace  the  foe 
Approaching  gross  and  huge,  in  hollow  cube 
Training  his  devilish  enginery,  impaled 
On  every  side  with  shadowing  squadrons  deep, 
To  hide  the  fraud.      At  interview  both  stood  655 

Awhile  ;  but  suddenly  at  head  appeared 
Satan,  and  thus  was  heard  commanding  loud : 

"  '  Vanguard,  to  right  and  left  the  front  unfold  ; 
That  all  may  see  who  hate  us  how  we  seek 
Peace  and  composure,  and  with  open  breast  560 

Stand  ready  to  receive  them,  if  they  like 
Our  overture  and  turn  not  back  perverse : 
But  that  I  doubt ;  however,  witness  Heaven, 
Heaven  witness  thou  anon,  while  we  discharge 
Freely  our  part.      Ye  who  appointed  stand,  565 

Do  as  you  have  in  charge,  and  briefly  touch 
What  we  propound,  and  loud  that  all  may  hear/ 

"  So  scoffing  in  ambiguous  Avords,  he  scarce 
Had  ended,  when  to  right  and  left  the  front 
Divided,  and  to  either  flank  retired ;  57O 

Which  to  our  eyes  discovered,  new  and  strange, 
A  triple  mounted  row  of  pillars  laid 
On  wheels  (for  like  to  pillars  most  they  seemed. 
Or  hollowed  bodies  made  of  oak  or  fir, 
With  branches  lopped,  in  wood  or  mountain  felled),  676 

648.  quit  of,  free  from.  —  im-  train.  —  impaled,  surrounded  a» 

^pediment,   the    Latin    "  impedi-  with  pales  ;  fenced  in . 
menta,"  the  baggage  of  an  army.        555.  At  interview,  gazing  at  or 

549.  took  alarm,  roused  them-  eyeing  eacli  other, 
selves.  5G0.    composure,  composition 

553.     Training,      drawing     in  settlement  of  differences. 


V 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  185 

Brass,  iroji,  stony  mould,  had  not  their  mouths 

With  hideous  orifice  gaped  on  us  wide, 

Portending  hollow  truce  :  at  each  behind 

A  seraph  stood,  and  in  his  hand  a  reed 

Stood  waving  tipped  with  fire  ;  while  we  suspense  580 

Collected  stood  within  our  thoughts  amused ; 

Not  long,  for  sudden  all  at  once  their  reeds 

Put  forth,  and  to  a  narrow  vent  applied 

With  nicest  touch.     Immediate  in  a  flame  584 

But  soon  obscured  with  smoke^all  Heaven  appeared. 

From  those  deep-throated  engines  belched,  whose  roar 

Embowelled  with  outrageous  noise  the  air, 

And  all  her  entrails  tore,  disgorging  foul 

Their  devilish  glut,  chained  thunderbolts  and  hail 

Of  iron  globes  ;  which,  on  the  victor  host  69C 

Levelled,  with  such  impetuous  fury  smote 

That  whom  they  hit  none  on  their  feet  might  stand^ 

Though  standing  else  as  rocks,  but  down  they  fell 

By  thousands,  angel  on  archangel  rolled, 

The  sooner  for  their  arms ;  unarmed  they  might     695 

Have  easily  as  spirits  evaded  swift 

By  quick  contraction  or  remove  ;  but  now 

Foul  dissipation  followed  and  forced  rout ; 

Nor  served  it  to  relax  their  serried  files. 

What  should  they  do  ?     If  on  they  rushed,  repulse    000 

Repeated,  and  indecent  overthrow 

Doubled,  would  render  them  yet  more  despised, 

And  to  their  foes  a  laughter ;  for  in  view 

Stood  ranked  of  seraphim  another  row, 

[n  posture  to  displode  their  second  tire  e)5 

Of  thunder:  back  defeated  to  return 

576.  stony.    Cannons  were   m  598.  Fotil  dissipation,    shame- 
former  times  sometimes  made  of  ful  dispersion. 
Btoae.  599.  Nor  served  it,  noi  was   it 

5S0.  suspense,  held  in  su>pense.  cf  any  use.  —  serried.   See  I.  548. 

581.  amused,  musing;  or,  per-  605.  In  posture  to  displode,  in 

\aps,  amazed.  the  attitude  proper  for  ilischarg- 

592.  whom,  of  those  whom.  ing.  —  tire,  tier  ;  rank 


186  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VI 

They  woi'se  abhorred.      Satan  beheld  their  plight, 
And  to  his  mates  thus  in  derision  called : 

"  '  0  friends,  why  coine  not  on  these  victors  proud  ? 
Erewhile  they  fierce  were  coming ;  and  when  we     61C 
To  entertain  them  fiiir  with  open  front 
And  breast  (what  could  ive  more  ?)  propounded  terms 
Of  composition,  straight  they  changed  their  minds, 
Flew  oif,  and  into  strange  vagaries  fell,  614 

As  they  would  dance ;  yet  for  a  dance  they  seemed 
Somewhat  extravagant  and  wild,  perhaps  . 
For  joy  of  offered  peace:  but  I  suppose, 
If  our  proposals  once  again  were  heard, 
We  should  compel  them  to  a  quick  result.' 

"  To  whom  thus  Belial  in  like  gamesome  mood  :  620 
'  Leader,  the  terms  we  sent  were  terms  of  weight, 
Of  hard  contents,  and  full  of  force  urged  home, 
Such  as  we  might  perceive  amused  them  all. 
And  stumbled  many ;  who  receives  them  right, 
Had  need  from  head  to  foot  well  understand ;  625  -^ 

Not  understood,  this  gift  they  have  besides. 
They  show  us  when  our  foes  walk  not  upright. 

"  So  they  among  themselves  in  pleasant  vein 
Stood  scoffing,  heightened  in  their  thoughts  beyond 
All  doubt  of  victory  ;  eternal  might  630 

To  match  with  their  inventions  they  presumed 
So  easy,  and  of  his  thunder  made  a  scorn, 
And  all  his  host  derided,  while  they  stood 
Awhile  in  trouble  :  but  they  stood  not  long  ; 
Rage  prompted  them  at  length,  and  found  them  armi 
Against  such  hellish  mischief  fit  to  oppose.  634 

Forthwith  (behold  the  excellence,  the  power 

615.  ^5,  as  if.  632.  his  refers  to  eternal  might 

S23.  aynused.    See  line  581.  personified. 


\ 


Book  VI.] 


PARADISE  LOST. 


187 


Which  God  hath  in  his  mighty  angels  placed  !) 

Their  arms  away  they  threw,  and  to  tlie  hills 

(For  Earth  hath  this  variety  from  Heaven  640 

Of  pleasure  situate  in  hill  and  dale) 

Light  as  the  lightning  glimpse  they  ran,  they  flew ; 

From  their  foundations  loosening  to  and  fro 

They  plucked  the  seated  hills  with  all  their  load, 

Rocks,  waters,  woods,  and  by  the  shaggy  tops  645 

Uplifting  bore  them  in  their  hands.      Amaze, 

Be  sure,  and  terror  seized  the  rebel  host, 

When  coming  towards  them  so  dread  they  saw 

The  bottom  of  the  mountains  upward  turned  ; 

Till  on  those  cursed  engines  triple-row  650 

They  saw  them  whelmed,  and  all  their  confidence 

Under  the  weight  of  mountains  buried  deep ; 

Themselves  invaded  next,  and  on  their  heads 

Main  promontories  flung,  which  in  the  air  654 

Came  shadowing,  and  oppressed  whole  legions  armed  ; 

Their    armor    helped    their    harm,    crushed    in    and 

bruised 
Into  their  substance  pent,  which  wrought  them  pain 
Implacable,  and  many  a  dolorous  groan. 
Long  struggling  underneath,  ere  they  could  wind 
Out  of  such  prison,  though  spirits  of  purest  light.     660 
Purest  at  fii*st,  now  gross  by  sinning  grown. 
The  rest,  in  imitation,  to  like  arms 
Betook  them,  and  the  neighboring  hills  uptore ; 
So  hills  amid  the  air  encountered  hills, 
Hurled  to  and  fro  with  jaculation  dire,  668 

That  under  ground  they  fought  in  dismal  shade ; 
Infernal  noise ;  war  seemed  a  civil  game 


640.  hath,  hath  derived  {from 
Heaven). 

651.  all  their  confidence,  all  in 
lyhich  they  trusted. 

653.  Themselves  invaded  next, 
they  saw  (line  651)  themselves 
next  assailed. 


Q^o.  oppressed,  orerpcwered ; 
pre.'^sed  do^s-n. 

656.  helped  theirharm,  increas- 
ed their  suffering. 

658.  Implacable,  not  to  be  al- 
layed. 

665.  jaculation,  throwing. 

667.  civil,  peaceful. 


\ 


188 


PARADISE  LOST. 


[Book  VI 


To  this  uproar ;   horrid  confusion  heaped 

Upon  confusion  rose.     And  now  all  Heaven 

Had  gone  to  wrack,  with  ruin  overspread, 

Had  not  the  almighty  Father,  where  he  sits         ^^ 

Shrined  in  his  sanctuary  of  Heaven  secure,       ->^ 

Consulting  on  the  sum  of  things,  foreseen  ^  , 

This  tumult,  and  permitted  all,  advised  ; 

That  his  great  purpose  he  might  so  fulfil, 

To  honor  his  anointed  Son  avenged 

Upon  his  enemies,  and  to  declare 

All  power  on  him  transferred  :  whence  to  his  Son, 

The  assessor  of  his  throne,  he  thus  becfan  : 


670 


^^ 


675 


"  '  Effulgence  of  my  glory.  Son  beloved,  680 

Son  in  whose  face  invisible  is  beheld 
Visibly  what  by  deity  I  am, 
And  in  whose  hand  what  by  decree  I  do. 
Second  Omnipotence  !  two  days  are  past. 
Two  days,  as  we  compute  the  days  of  Heaven,        686 
Since  Michael  and  his  j)owers  went  forth  to  tame 
These  disobedient :  sore  hath  been  their  fight. 
As  likeliest  was  when  two  such  foes  met  armed ; 
For  to  themselves  I  left  them,  and  thou  kuow'st 
Equal  in  their  creation  they  were  formed,  690 

Save  what  sin  hath  impaired,  which  yet  hath  wrought 
Insensibly,  for  I  suspend  their  doom  ; 
Whence  in  perpetual  fight  they  needs  must  last 
Endless,  and  no  solution  will  be  found. 
War  wearied  hath  performed  what  war  can  do,        695 
And  to  disordered  rage  let  loose  the  reins. 


668.   To,  compared  with. 

670.  wrack,  wreck. 

674.  advised,  by  design ;  ad- 
visedly. 

677.  declare,  make  clearly 
known. 

G79.  assessor,  one  who  sits  near 
M  sharing  his  dignity 


681.  ini'isible,  refers  to  ivhat  by 
deity  I  am.  "  "Who  is  the  image 
of  the  invisible  God."  Colossiana 
i.  15. 

682.  by  deity,  in  myself  as  God 

683.  in  whose  hand,  in  whos« 
acts  is  beheld. 

692.  Insensibly,  gradually  ;  bj 
slow  degrees 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  189 

With    mountains    as    with    -weapons     armed,    whicb 

makes 
Wild  work  in  Heaven,  and  dangerous  to  the  main. 
Two  days  are  therefore  past,  the  third  is  thine ; 
For  thee  I  have  ordained  it,  and  thus  far  TOO 

Have  suffered,  that  the  glory  may  be  thine 
Of  ending  this  great  war,  since  none  but  thou 
Can  end  it.      Into  thee  such  virtue  and  grace 
Immense  I  have  transfused,  that  all  may  know 
In  Heaven  and  Hell  thy  power  above  compare ;      7t\ft 
And  this  perverse  commotion  governed  thus. 
To  manifest  thee  worthiest  to  be  heir 
Of  all  things,  to  be  heir  and  to  be  king 
By  sacred  unction,  thy  deserved  right. 
Go  then,  thou  Mightiest,  in  thy  Father's  might,       7lo 
Ascend  my  chariot,  guide  the  rapid  wheels 
That  shake  Heaven's  basis,  bring  forth  all  ray  war, 
My  bow  and  thunder,  my  almighty  arras 
Gird  on,  and  sword  upon  thy  puissant  thigh ; 
Pursue  these  sons  of  darkness,  drive  them  out  715 

From  all  Heaven's  bounds  into  tiie  utter  deep  : 
There  let  them  learn,  as  likes  them,  to  despise 
God  and  Messiah  his  anointed  king." 

"  He  said,  and  on  his  Son  with  rays  direct 
Shone  full ;  he  all  his  Father  full  expressed  720 

Ineffably  into  his  face  received  ; 
And  thus  the  filial  Godhead  answering  spake : 

" '  O  Father,  O  Supreme  of  heavenly  thrones, 
First,  Highest,  Holiest,  Best !  thou  always  seek'st 

698.  JTJam,  vrhole.  721.  Ineffably^  in  a  manner  not 

701.  suffered,  allowed  •  permit-  to  be  expressed  by  words, 
ted.  725.    To  glorify.      "And  now, 

706.  governed,  have  I  directed.  0  Father,  glorify  thou  me  with 

714.  Gird  on.  See  Psalm  xlv  3  thine  own  self,   with   the  glory 

716  litter,  outer.  which  I  had  with  thee  before  th« 

717  /iA;es,  pleases  world  was."    John  xrii.  6. 


190 


PARADISE  LOST. 


[Book  VI 


To  glorify  tliy  Son,  I  always  Thee,  725 

As  is  most  j  ust :  this  I  my  glory  account, 

My  exaltation,  and  my  whole  delight, 

That  thou  in  me  well  pleased  declar'st  thy  will 

Fulfilled,  which  to  fulfil  is  all  my  bliss. 

Sceptre  and  power,  thy  giving,  I  assume, 

And  gladlier  shall  resign,  when  in  the  end 

Thou  shalt  be  all  in  all,  and  I  in  thee  ^■ 

For  ever,  and  in  me  all  whom  thou  lov'st : 

But  whom  thou  hat'st  I  hate,  and  can  put  on 

Thy  terrors,  as  I  put  thy  mildness  on,  735 

Lnage  of  thee  in  all  things ;  and  shall  soon, 

Armed  with  thy  might,  rid  Heaven  of  these  rebelled, 

To  their  prepared  ill  mansion  driven  down, 

To  chains  of  darkness  and  the  undying  worm, 

That  from  thy  just  obedience  could  revolt,  740 

Whom  to  obey  is  happiness  entire. 

Then  shall  thy  saints  unmixed,  and  from  the  impure 

Far  separate,  circling  thy  holy  mount. 

Unfeigned  hallelujahs  to  thee  sing, 

Hymns  of  high  praise,  and  I  among  them  chief      745 


30      .grrqr 


^^ 


^ 


"  So  said,  he  o'er  his  sceptre  bowing  rose 
From  the  right  hand  of  glory  where  he  sat ; 
And  the  third  sacred  morn  began  to  shine, 
Dawning  through  Heaven :  forth  rushed  with  whirl- 
wind sound 
The  chariot  of  paternal  Deity,  750 

Flashing  thick  flames,  wheel  within  wheel,  undrawn. 


728.  well  pleased.  See  Matthew 
Kvii.  5. 

729.  ivhkh  to  fulfil.  "Jesus 
saith  unto  them,  My  meat  is  to 
do  the  will  of  him  that  sent  me, 
and  to  finish  his  mprk."  John 
IV.  34. 

732.  all  in  all.  See  1  Cor.  xv. 
28.  —  I  in  thee.  See  John  xvii. 
21. 


737.  rebelled.,  who  have  rebelled. 

739.  the  undying  ivorm.  "Where 
their  worm  dieth  not."  Markix. 
44. 

751.  ivheel  loithin  loheel.  "And 
their  appearance  and  their  work 
was  as  it  were  a  wheel  in  the 
middle  of  a  wheel."  Ezekiel  i 
16.  Compare  lines  749-759  with 
Ezekiel  i.  4-28. 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE   LOST.  191  "T 

Itself  instinct  with  spirit,  but  conveyed  ^^ 

By  four  cherubic  shapes  :  four  foces  each  '^ 

Had  wondrous  ;  as  with  stars  their  bodies  all  -•*  - 

And  wings  Avere  set  with  eyes,  with  eyes  the  wheels 

Of  beryl,  and  careering  fires  between  ;  756 

Over  their  heads  a  crystal  firmament, 

Whereon  a  sapphire  throne  inlaid  with  pure  ^. 

Amber  and  colors  of  the  showery  arch.  S^ 

He  in  celestial  panoply  all  armed  780  ''  ' 

Of  radiant  Urim,  work  divinely  wrought,  '^ 

Ascended  ;  at  his  right  hand  Victory  S» 

Sat  eagle-Avinged ;  beside  him  hung  his  bow 

And  quiver  with  three-bolted  thunder  stored, 

And  from  about  him  fierce  efilision  rolled  766 

Of  smoke  and  bickering  flame  and  sparkles  dire  : 

Attended  with  ten  thousand  thousand  saints 

He  onward  came,  far  off  his  coming  shone  ; 

And  twenty  thousand  (I  their  number  heard) 

Chariots  of  God,  half  on  each  hand,  were  seen.        770 

He  on  the  wings  of  cherub  rode  sublime 

On  the  crystalline  sky,  in  sapphire  throned, 

Illustrious  far  and  wide,  but  by  his  own .■■  . ^-- 

Fii-st  seen  ;  them  unexpected  joy  surprised  -y  _ 

When  the  great  ensign  of  Messiah  blazed,  "^1?$^    ^  ^-^ 

Aloft  by  angels  borne,  his  sign  in  Heaven;  \^       S;^ 

Under  whose  conduct  Michael  soon  reduced 
His  army,  circumfi.ised  on  either  wing. 
Under  their  Head  embodied  all  in  one. 
Before  him  power  divine  his  way  prepared  ; 


\V;C 


"iQl.rndinnt  Urim.  See  Exodus  771.  on  the    toings  of  cherub. 

xxviii.  29.  30.  See  Psalm  xviii.  10. 

766.  bickering^  struggling ;  quiv-  773.  Illustrious.,  shining  bright' 
ering.  ly.  ^ 

767.  te7i     thousand     thousand  776.  his  sign  in  Heaven     See 
saints.     See  ReTelation  v.  11.  Matthew  xxiv.  30. 

769.  tiventy  thousand.      "  The  777.  reduced.,   brought   or  ral- 

chariots  of  God  are  twenty  thou-  lied, 
sand,  even  thousands  of  angels." 
psalm  Jxviii.  17. 


192  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  V 


At  his  command  the  uprooted  hills  retired  _^^ 

Each  to  his  place  ;  they  heard  his  voice  and  went    ■  ^-it<^  * 

Obsequious  ;   Heaven  his  wonted  face  renewed, 

And  with  fresh  flowerets  hill  and  valley  smiled. 

This  saw  his  hapless  foes,  but  stood  obdured, 

And  to  rebellious  fight  rallied  their  pov/ere 

Insensate,  hope  conceiving  from  despair. 

In  heavenly  spirits  could  such  pervcrseness  dwell, 

But  to  convince  the  proud  Avhat  signs  avail, 

Or  wonders  move  the  obdurate  to  relent  ? 

They,  hardened  more  by  what  might  most  reclaim, 

Grieving  to  see  his  glory,  at  the  sight 

Took  envy  ;  and,  aspiring  to  his  height, 

Stood  re-embattled  fierce,  by  force  or  fi^aud 

Weening  to  prosper  and  at  length  prevail 

Against  God  and  Messiah,  or  to  fall 

In  universal  ruin  last ;  and  now 

To  final  battle  drcAv,  disdaining  flight 

Or  faint  retreat ;  when  the  great  Son  of  God 

To  all  his  host  on  either  hand  thus  spake  :  800 

" '  Stand  still    In    bright    array,  ye    Saints  ;  here  _^ 

stand,  '  '  <,^ 

Ye  Angels  armed,  this  day  from  battle  rest !  .^  ^^ 

Faithful  hath  been  your  warfare  and  of  God 
.Accepted,  fearless  In  his  righteous  cause  ; 

And  cis  ye  have  received,  so  have  ye  done  805  '     '>i 

Invincibly  ;  but  of  this  cursed  crew 
The  punishment  to  other  hand  belongs  ; 
Vengeance  Is  his,  or  whose  he  sole  appoints  : 
Number  to  this  day's  work  is  not  ordained, 
Nor  multitude  ;  stand  only  and  behold  810 

783.  A(5,  its.  written,   Vengeance  is   mine;   I 

785.  obrjured^  hardened.  will    repay,    saith     the    Lord.' 

794.  fraud,    stratagem;  arti-    Romans  xii.  19.  —  wAo.fe,  belongs 
Gee.                 '  to  him  whom. 

795.  Weening.    See  line  86.  81U.  See  Exodus  xiv.  13. 
808.   Vengeance  is  his.     "  It  is 


Book  VI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  193 

God's  indignation  on  these  godless  poured 

By  me  ;  not  you,  but  me  they  have  despised 

Yet  envied  ;  against  me  is  all  their  rage, 

Because  the  Father,  to  whom  in  Heaven  supreme 

Kingdom,  and  power,  and  glory  appertains,  815 

Hath  honored  me  according  to  his  will. 

Therefore  to  me  their  doom  he  hath  assigned ; 

That  they  may  have  their  wish,  to  try  with  me 

In  battle  which  the  stronger  proves  ;  they  all, 

Or  I  alone  against  them  ;  since  by  strength  820 

They  measure  all,  of  other  excellence 

Not  emulous,  nor  care  Avho  them  excels  ; 

Nor  other  strife  Avith  them  do  I  vouchsafe.' 

"  So  spake  the  Son,  and  into  terror  changed 

His  countenance,  too  severe  to  be  beheld  825 

And  full  of  wrath  bent  on  his  enemies. 

At  once  the  Four  spread  out  their  starry  wings 

With  dreadful  shade  contiguous,  and  the  orbs 

Of  his  fierce  chariot  rolled,  as  with  the  sound 

Of  torrent  floods  or  of  a  numerous  liost.  830 

He  on  his  impious  foes  right  onward  drove. 

Gloomy  as  night ;  under  his  burning  wheels 

The  steadfast  empyrean  shook  throughout. 

All  but  the  throne  itself  of  God.      Full  soon 

Among  them  he  arrived,  in  his  right  hand  836 

Grasping  ten  thousand  thunders,  which  he  sent 

Before  him,  such  as  in  their  souls  infixed 

Plagues;  they,  astonished,  all  resistance  lost. 

All  courage  ;  down  their  idle  weapons  dropped  ; 

O'er  shields  and  helms  and  helmed  heads  he  rode  &iO 

(>f  thrones,  and  mighty  seraphim  prostrate. 

That  wished  the  mountains  now  might  be  again 

815.  See  Matt.  vi.  13.  842.  That  wishpcl.  "  They  shall 

827.  the  Four.    See  line  752.  say  to  the  mountains,  Cover  ua* 

828.  contiguous,  so  near  as  to  and   to   the  hills,  Fall   on   ua  " 
peet.  Hosea  x  8 

13 


194  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VI 

Thrown  on  them  as  a  shelter  from  his  ire. 

Nor  less  on  either  side  tempestuous  fell 

His  arrows  from  the  fourfold- vis  aged  Four 

Distinct  with  eyes,  and  from  the  living  wheels 

Distinct  alike  with  multitude  of  eyes  ; 

One  spirit  In  them  ruled,  and  every  eye 

Glared  lightning  and  shot  forth  pernicious  fire 

Among  the  accursed,  that  withered  all  their  strength 

And  of  their  wonted  vigor  left  them  drained,  851  ^^^     ^i 

Exhausted,  spiritless,  afflicted,  fallen.  ""^^^^^g^ 

Yet  half  his  strength  he  put  not  forth,  but  checked  5!**^ 

His  thunder  in  mid  volley  ;  for  he  meant  ""^^ 

Not  to  destroy,  but  root  them  out  of  Heaven.  85fi  ^S 

The  overthrown, he  raised,  and  as  a  herd 

Of  goats  or  timorous  flock  together  thronged 

Drove  them  before  him  thunder-struck,  pursued 

With  terrors  and  with  furies  to  the  bounds 

And  crystal  wall  of  Heaven,  which  opening  wide    890 

Rolled  inward,  and  a  spacious  gap  disclosed 

Into  the  wasteful  deep :  the  monstrous  sight 

Struck  them  with  horror  backward,  but  fur  woree 

Urged  them  behind  ;  headlong  themselves  they  threw 

Down  from  the  verge  of  Heaven  ;  eternal  wrath    865 

Burned  after  them  to  the  bottomless  pit.     •-: _^_^ 


"  Hell  heard  the  unsufTerable  noise.  Hell  saw 
Heaven  ruining  from  Heaven,  and  would  have  fled 
Affrighted ;  but  strict  Fate  had  cast  too  deep 
Her  dark  foundations,  and  too  fast  had  bound. 
Nine  days  they  fell ;  confounded  Chaos  roared, 
And  felt  tenfold  confusion  in  their  fall 
Through  his  wild  anarchy,  so  huge  a  rout 
Encumbered  him  with  ruin:  Hell  at  last 

846.  Distinct,  spotted  ;  marked,  wheels,  were  full  of  eyes  rouud 

—  with  eyes.     "  And  their  whole  about."     Ezekiel  x.  12. 

body,  and  their  backs,  aud  their  868.  ruining,  failiug  with  ruin 

hands,  and  their  wings,  and  the  867-877.  See  I.  4i-53. 


BookVi.j  paradise  lost.  196 

Yawning  received  tlieni  whole,  and  on  them  closed  ; 
Hell,  their  fit  habitation,  fraught  with  fire  876 

Unquenchable,  the  house  of  woe  and  pain. 
Disburdened  Heaven  rejoiced,  and  soon  repaired 
Her  mural  breach,  returning  whence  it  rolled. 

"  Sole  victor,  from  the  expulsion  of  his  foes  880 

Messiah  his  triumphal  chariot  turned  : 
To  meet  him  all  his  saints,  who  silent  stood 
Eye-Avitnesses  of  his  almighty  acts, 
With  jubilee  advanced;  and  as  they  went. 
Shaded  with  branching  palm,  each  Order^bright     88P 
Sung  triumph,  and  him  sung  victorious  King, 
Son,  Heir,  and  Lord,  to  him  dominion  given, 
Worthiest  to  reign :  he  celebrated  rode 
Triumphant  through  mid  Heaven  into  the  courts 
And  temple  of  his  mighty  Father  throned  890 

On  high  ;  who  into  glory  him  received, 
Where  now  he  sits  at  the  right  hand  of  bliss. 

"Thus,  measuring  things  in  Heaven  by  things  on 
Earth, 
At  thy  request  and  that  thou  raay'st  beware 
By  what  is  past,  to  thee  I  have  revealed        ^  895 

What  might  have  else  to  human  race  been  hid  ; 
The  discord  Avhich  befel,  and  war  in  Heaven 
Among  the  angelic  powers,  and  the  deep  fall 
Of  those  too  high  aspiring,  who  rebelled 
With  Satan  ;  he  who  envies  now  thy  state, 
Who  now  is  plotting  how  he  may  seduce 
Thee  also  from  obedience,  that  with  him 
Bereaved  of  happiness  thou  may'st  partake 
His  punishment,  eternal  misery : 

888.     celebrated,    attended    in        900.  he,  him. 
procession. 

892.    at   the  right  hand.      See 
Hebrews  i.  3. 


I  'J  6  PARADISE  L  OS  T.  [Book  VI 

Whicli  would  be  all  his  solace  and  revenge,  905 

As  a  despite  done  against  the  Most  High, 

Thee  once  to  gain  companion  of  his  woe. 

But  listen  not  to  his  temptations  ;  warn 

Thy  weaker ;  let  it  profit  thee  to  have  heard, 

By  terrible  example,  the  reward  910 

Of  disobedience  ;  firm  they  might  have  stood, 

Yet  fell.     Remember,  and  fear  to  transgress." 

909.    Thy    toeaker,     "  Giving    weaker  vessel."  1  Peter  iii.  7. 
kctnor  unto  the  wife,  as  unto  the 


BOOK  vn. 

THE  ARGU31ENT. 

Raphael,  at  the  request  of  Adam,  relates  how  and  wherefore  thll 
world  was  first  created  ;  that  God,  after  the  expelling  of  Satan  and 
his  angels  ovit  of  Ileaven,  declared  his  pleasure  to  create  another 
world,  and  other  creatures  to  dwell  therein  ;  sends  his  Son  with 
glory  and  attendance  of  angels  to  perform  the  work  of  creation  in 
six  days  :  the  angels  celebrate  with  hymns  the  performance  there- 
of, and  his  reascension  into  Ileaven. 

Dp:scend  from  Heaven,  Urania  (by  that  name 

If  rightly  thou  art  called),  whose  voice  divine 

Following,  above  the  Olympian  hill  I  soar, 

Above  the  flight  of  Pegasean  wing  ! 

The  meaning,  not  the  name,  I  call :  for  thou  6 

Nor  of  the  Mnses  nine,  nor  on  the  top 

Of  old  Olympus  dwell'st ;  but,  heavenly  born, 

Before  the  hills  appeared  or  fountain  flowed. 

Thou  with  eternal  Wisdom  didst  converse. 

Wisdom  thy  sister,  and  with  her  didst  play  10 

1.   Urania  was  one  of  the  nine  ply    the    name,    to    signify    the 

Muses  ;  she  presided  over  Astron-  source  of  the  inspiration  which  T 

omy,  the  meaning  of  that  name  seek. 

being  heavenly.     Milton  applies  8.  Before  the  hills  appeared  or 

It  to  the  heavenly  ]\Iicse  whom  he  fountain  floxoed.     "  When  there 

Lad  invoked  at  first.     See  I.  6.  were  no  depths,  I  (Wisdom)  was 

3.  the  Olympian  hill,  Mount  brought  forth  ;  when  there  were 
Olympus,  the  seat  of  the  gods.  no     fountains    abounding    with 

4.  Pegasean  iving.  The  winged  water.  Before  the  mountains 
horse  Pegasus  was  sail  to  have  were  settled,  before  the  hills  was 
ascended  to  the  seat  of  the  im-  I  brought  forth."  Proverbs  viii. 
mortals.  24. 25. 

5.  The  meaning,  not  the  name  9.  converse,  associate. 

1  call.     See  lino  1.     I  invoke  not  10.  ivith   her   didst  play.^  _  "  I 

any  heathen  muse,  whose  high-  was  daily  his   delight,   rejoicing 

est  flight  could  never  reach  the  always  before   him."     Proverbs 

aeaven  of  heavens,  though  I  ap-  viii.  30. 


198  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VII 

In  presence  of  the  almighty  Father,  pleased 

With  thy  celestial  song.      Up  led  by  thee 

Into  the  heaven  of  heavens  I  have  presumed, 

An  earthly  guest,  and  drawn  empyreal  air, 

Thy  tempering  ;  with  like  safety  guided  down  liS 

Return  me  to  my  native  element ; 

Lest  from  this  flying  steed  unreined,  as  once 

Bellerophon  (though  from  a  lower  clime), 

Dismounted  on  the  Aleian  field  I  ftill, 

Erroneous  there  to  wander  and  forlorn.  20 

Half  yet  remains  unsung,  but  narrower  bound 

Within  the  visible  diurnal  sphere  ; 

Standing  on  earth,  not  rapt  above  the  pole, 

More  safe  I  sing  with  mortal  voice,  unchanged 

To  hoarse  or  mute,  though  fallen  on  evil  days,  35 

On  evil  days  though  fallen,  and  evil  tongues. 

In  darkness,  and  Avith  dangers  compassed  round, 

And  solitude  ;  yet  not  alone,  while  thou 

Visit'st  my  slumbers  nightly  or  when  morn 

Purples  the  east.      Still  govern  thou  my  song,  30 

Urania,  and  fit  audience  find  though  few : 

But  drive  far  off  the  barbarous  dissonance 

15.  Thy    tempering,   tempered  toration  of   Charles  II.    to  the 

by  thee.  English   throne  in   1660.      This 

18-20.  Bellerophon  conquered  event     had    destroyed    Milton's 

the  monster  Ohimaera  by  the  aid  hopes  for  the  establishment  of  a 

of  Pegasus.     Elated  by  his  sue-  republican  form  of  government  in 

cess,  he  attempted,  it  is  said,  to  England,  and  for  a  time  his  life 

fly  up  into  heaven  on  his  winged  was  in  danger,  as  he  had  been  a 

Bteed.      Jupiter,   to    punish   his  friend  and  adherent  of  Cromwell 

presumption,    sent   a    gadfly   to  who    had    usurped   the  govem- 

sting  Pegasus,  and  Bellerophon  ment.     His    blindness  was    now 

was  thrown  to  the   earth.     The  total,  and  he  sought  safety  in  a 

fall    made    him   both   lame   and  retired  life, 

blind,  and  he  wandered  discon-  29.  nightly.     See  III.  29-32. 

Bolate     over    the    Aleian    fields,  30.  govern,  influence ;  direct, 

avoiding  the  abodes  of  men.  —  31.  fit    audience  find,   though 

erroneous,  roving  ;  wandering.  feiv.     The  number  of  those  who 

21.  Half,  half  of  the  poem.  in  such  evil  days  would  listen  to 

23.  rapt,    caught    up  ;    borne  the  song  of  the  heavenly  Muse 

aYfay.  ^a^s  small,  though  some  feio  still 

26-28.  Milton  here  refers  to  the  remained  who  were  fit  to  hear 

times  in   which  he  lived.     This  her  voice. 
Book  was  written  after  the  Res- 


Book  VII.]  PARADIl^E  LOST.  199 

Of  Bacchus  and  Lis  revellers,  the  race 

Of  that  wild  rout  that  tore  the  Thracian  bard 

In  Rhodope-,  where  woods  and  rocks  had  ears  85 

To  rapture,  till  the  savage  clamor  drowned 

Both  harp  and  voice ;  nor  could  the  Muse  defend 

Her  son.      So  fail  not  thou  who  thee  implores ; 

For  thou  art  heavenly,  she  an  empty  dream. 

Say,  goddess,  what  ensued  when  Raphael,  «o 

The  affable  Aix'hangel,  had  forewarned 
Adam  by  dire  example  to  beware 
Apostasy,  by  what  befell  in  Heaven 
To  those  apostates,  lest  the  like  befall 
In  Paradise  to  Adam  or  his  race  4fi 

(Charged  not  to  touch  the  interdicted  tree) 
If  they  transgress,  and  slight  that  sole  command, 
So  easily  obeyed,  amid  the  choice 
Of  all  tastes  else  to  please  their  appetite. 
Though  wandering.      He  with  his  consorted  Eve      50 
The  story  heard  attentive,  and  was  filled 
With  admiration  and  deep  muse,  to  hear 
Of  thino;s  so  hi^h  and  stranire,  thinn;s  to  their  thought 
So  unimaginable  as  hate  in  Heaven, 
And  war  so  near  the  peace  of  God  in  bliss  55 

With  such  confusion  ;  but  the  evil  soon 

33-38.  Orpheus,  the    Thracian  his  head  into  the  llebrus,  a  rivet 

bard,  was  the  son  of  Calliope,  the  which    descended    from    Mount 

Muse    who    presided    over    epic  Rlioilope  to  theses..     Milton,  un- 

poetry.     As  he  played  upon  the  der  these  figures,  may  be  describ- 

lyre  given  him   by  Apollo,  noth-  ing  the  dissolute  coui-t  of  Charles 

ing  could  withstand  the  charm  II.,  among  whose  followers  such 

of  his  music.    Not  only  men,  but  strains  as  his  would  stir  up  only 

also  beasts,  and  even  icootJs  and  cont>^mpt  and  ridicule. 

rocks    were    moved     to     f-zpture.  38.  loho,  him  who. 

Having  lost  his  wife  Eurydice,  he  41    affable.     See  V.  221. 

refused  to  be  consoled.  TheThra-  42.  if  icare.  beware  of. 

clan  women,  in  revenge  for  the  46.  interdicted.,  forbidden.    Sm 

contempt  with  which  he  treated  Genesis  ii.  IG,  17.     See  I.  2. 

them,  and  excited  by  the  rites  of  50.  wandering.,  not  fixed ;  seek 

Bacchus,  droicned  b.ilk  harp  and  ing  variety. 

voice  by  their  samite  clanK^r,  tore  52.  admiration,    wonder.  — 

bim  limb  from  limb,  and  threw  viuse,  meditation ;  musing. 


200  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Vn. 

Driven  back  redounded  as  a  flood  on  those 

From  whom  it  sprung,  impossible  to  mix 

With  blessedness.      Whence  Adam  soon  repealed 

The  doubts  that  In  his  heart  arose ;  and  now  6C 

Led  on,  yet  sinless,  with  desire  to  know 

What  nearer  might  concern  hi  in  ;  how  this  world 

Of  heaven  and  earth  conspicuous  first  began, 

When  and  whereof  created,  for  what  cause. 

What  within  Eden  or  Avithout  was  done  66 

Before  his  memory ;  as  one  whose  drought 

Yet  scarce  allayed  still  eyes  the  current  stream 

Whose  liquid  murmur  heard  new  thirst  excites, 

Proceeded  thus  to  ask  his  heavenly  guest :  , 

"  Great  things,  and  full  of  wonder  in  our  ears,      70 
Far  differing  from  this  world,  thou  hast  revealed, 
Divine  interpreter,  by  favor  sent 
Down  from  the  empyrean  to  forewarn 
Us  timely  of  what  might  else  have  been  our  loss,      74 
Unknown,  which  human  knowledge  could  not  reach  : 
For  which  to  the  Infinitely  Good  we  owe 
Immortal  thanks,  and  his  admonishment 
Receive,  with  solemn  purpose  to  observe 
Immutably  his  sovran  will,  the  end 
Of  what  Ave  are.      But  since  thou  hast  vouchsafed    80 
Gently  for  our  instruction  to  Impart 
Things  above  earthly  thought,  which  yet  concerned 
Our  knowing  as  to  highest  wisdom  seemed, 
Deign  to  descend  now  lower,  and  relate 
What  may  no  less  perhaps  avail  us  known  ;  8b 


57-  redounJed,  flowed  or  rushed  folds  or  makes  ktiown. — by  favor 

back.  sent.     See  V.  219-245. 

69.  repealed,     recalled  ;      sup-        74.  timely,  in  time. 
Dressed.  79.  the  end  o/ivhat  we  are,  thi 

63.  conspicuous,   open    to    the  object  of  our  being, 
eight.  81.    Gently,  courteously. 

67.  current,  running.  83.  seemed,  seemed  good. 

72.  interpreter,   one    who    un-        85.  known,  when  it  is  known. 


Book  VII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  201 

How  fiist  began  tills  heaven,  which  we  behold 

Distant  so  high,  Avith  moving  fires  adorned 

Innumerable,  and  this  which  yields  or  fills 

All  space,  the  ambient  air  wide  interfused 

Embracing  round  this  florid  earth  ;   what  cause         30 

Moved  the  Creator,  in  his  holy  rest 

Through  all  eternity,  so  late  to  build 

In  Chaos,  and  the  work  begun  how  soon 

Absolved  ;  if  unforbid  thou  may'st  unfold 

What  we  not  to  explore  the  secrets  ask  96 

Of  his  eternal  empire,  but  the  more 

To  magnify  his  works  the  more  we  know. 

And  the  great  light  of  day  yet  wants  to  run 

Much  of  his  race  though  steep ;  suspense  in  heaven 

Held  by  thy  voice,  thy  potent  voice,  he  hears,  lOO 

And  longer  will  delay  to  hear  thee  tell 

His  generation,  and  the  rising  birth 

Of  Nature  from  the  unapparent  deep  : 

Or  if  the  star  of  evening  and  the  moon 

Haste  to  thy  audience,  night  with  her  will  bring      105 

Silence,  and  sleep  listening  to  thee  will  watch ; 

Or  we  can  bid  his  absence,  till  thy  song 

End,  and  dismiss  thee  ere  the  morning  shine." 

Thus  Adam  his  illustrious  guest  besought ; 
And  thus  the  godlike  angel  answered  mild :  no 

"  This  also  thy  request,  with  caution  asked, 
Obtain ;  though  to  recount  almighty  works 
What  words  or  tongue  of  seraph  can  suffice. 


89.  interfused^      poured      or  99.  thorigh   steep,   though   de 
spread  between.  scending  to  the  horizon. 

90.  foriil,  covered  with   flow-  103.  unapparent^  invir.ible,  foi 
ers  ;  blooming.  "  darkness  was  upon  the  fsice  of 

94.  Absolved,  finished.  the  deep."     See  Genesis  i.  2. 

95.  not  to  exi'lore,  not  niti-Amng  105.  to   thy  audience,  to   hear 
^r  seeking  to  explore.  thoe. 

96.  wants^  has  left. 


B02  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Vtt 

Or  heart  of  man  suffice  to  comiirehend  ? 

Tet  what  thou  canst  attain,  which  best  may  serve 

To  glorify  the  Maker  and  infer  116 

Thee  also  happier,  shall  not  be  withheld 

Thy  hearing  ;  such  commission  from  above 

I  have  received,  to  answer  thy  desire 

Of  knowledge  within  bounds  ;  beyond  abstain  120 

To  ask,  nor  let  thine  own  inventions  hope 

Things  not  revealed,  which  the  invisible  King, 

Only  omniscient,  hath  suppressed  in  night, 

To  none  communicable  in  Earth  or  Heaven  ; 

Enough  is  left  besides  to  search  and  know.  125 

But  knowledge  is  as  food,  and  needs  no  less 

Her  temperance  over  appetite,  to  know 

In  measure  what  the  mind  may  well  contain  ; 

Oppresses  else  with  surfeit,  and  soon  turns 

Wisdom  to  folly,  as  nourishment  to  wind.  130 

"  Know  then,  that  after  Lucifer  from  Heaven 
(So  call  him,  brighter  once  amidst  the  host 
Of  angels  than  that  star  the  stars  among) 
Fell  with  his  flaming  legions  through  the  deep 
Into  his  place,  and  the  great  Son  returned  135 

Victorious  with  his  saints,  the  omnipotent 
Eternal  Father  from  his  throne  beheld 
Their  multitude,  and  to  his  Son  thus  spake : 

"  '  At  least  our  envious  foe  hath  fiiiled,  who  thought 
All  like  himself  rebellious,  by  whose  aid  140 

This  inaccessible  high  strength,  the  seat 

114.  suffice,      to      comprtlfnU.  123.    halk    suppressed.      "  Th« 

"  Such  kuowledge  is  too  wonder-  secret    things    belong    unto    the 

ful  for  me;  it  is  high,  I  cannot  Lord  our  God."      Deuteronomy 

attain  unto  it."  Psalm  cxxxix.  6.  xxix.  29. 

IIG.  ?■»/??■,  make,  or  make  by  127.  tf.mperance,  restraint, 

consequence.  lo3.  that    star,   the    morningf 

117.  withhflrf,  withheld  from.  star,    called   Lucifer,   the   light^ 

121.   To  «5t.   from   asking.  —  bringer.     See  V.  70S. 
hope,  hope  to  nach  or  diiscover. 


BookYII.]  paradise  lost.  203 

Of  Deity  supreme,  us  dispossessed, 
He  trusted  to  have  seized,  and  into  fraud 
Drew  many,  whom  their  place  knows  here  no  more ; 
Yet  far  the  greater  part  have  kept,  I  see,  145 

Their  station  ;  Heaven  yet  populous  retains 
Number  sufficient  to  possess  her  realms 
Though  wide,  and  this  high  temple  to  frequent 
With  ministeries  due  and  solemn  rites : 
But  lest  his  heart  exalt  him  in  the  harm  150 

Already  done,  to  have  dispeopled  Heaven, 
My  damage  fondly  deemed,  I  can  repair 
That  detriment,  if  such  it  be  to  lose 
Self-lost,  and  in  a  moment  Avill  create  ^ 

Another  world,  out  of  one  man  a  race  156 

Of  men  innumerable,  there  to  dwell, 
Not  here,  till  by  degrees  of  merit  raised 
They  open  to  themselves  at  length  the  way 
Up  hither,  under  long  obedience  tried, 
And  Earth  be  changed  to  Heaven,  and  Heaven  to 
Earth,  160 

One  kingdom,  joy  and  union  without  end. 
Meanwhile  inhabit  lax,  ye  powers  of  Heaven, 
And  thou  my  Word,  begotten  Son,  by  thee 
This  I  perform  ;  speak  thou,  and  be  it  done  : 
My  overshadowing  Sj)irit  and  might  with  thee        165 
I  send  along  ;  ride  forth,  and  bid  the  deep 
Within  appointed  bounds  be  heaven  and  earth  — 
Boundless  the  deep,  because  I  am  who  fill 
Infinitude,  nor  vacuous  the  space. 

142    «5  t/f.^ossesstd,  we  having        149.  w/«f5/ert>5,  ministries, 
been    dispossessed.      This    is    a        152.  Mij  dnnim^e  fondly  d-eem- 

Latiuism      The  objective  case  is  f«/,  vainly  considered  as  iiyurj 

made    absolute    inst^ead    of    the  done  to  me. 
nominative,  which  is  more  com-        162.  inhabit  'ax,  dwell  at  large, 

mon  in  English.  with  ample  room. 

liS.  fraud,   treachery;    rebel-        1G8.  lam.    Sw  Exodus  iii.  14 
lion.  169.  Another  construction  di- 

144.  "  Neither  shall  his   place  vides  the  sentence  at  Infinitude, 

tcow  him  any  more."    Job  vii  putting  a  comma  after  .varf,  and 

\0.  a  semicolon  after  not,  line  172. 


204  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VII 

Though  I  uncircumscribed  myself  retire,  170 

And  put  not  forth  my  goodness  which  is  free 
To  act  or  not,  necessity  and  chance 
Approach  not  me,  and  what  I  will  is  fate.' 

"  So  spake  the  Almighty,  and  to  what  he  spake 
His  Word,  the  filial  Godhead,  gave  effect.  175 

Immediate  are  the  acts  of  God,  more  swift 
Than  time  or  motion,  but  to  human  ears 
Cannot  without  process  of  si^eech  be  told, 
So  told  as  earthly  notion  can  receive. 
Great  triumph  and  rejoicing  was  in  Heaven,  180 

When  such  was  heard  declared  the  Almighty's  will ; 
Glory  they  sung  to  the  Most  High,  good-will 
To    future  men,  and  in  their  dwellings  peace ; 
Glory  to  him  whose  just  avenging  ire 
Had  driven  out  the  ungodly  from  his  sight  185 

And  the  habitations  of  the  just ;  to  him 
Glory  and  praise,  whose  wisdom  had  ordained 
Good  out  of  evil  to  create,  instead 
Of  spirits  malign  a  better  race  to  bring 
Into  their  vacant  room,  and  thence  diffuse  19C 

His  good  to  worlds  and  ages  infinite. 

"  So  sang  the  Hierarchies.      Meanwhile  the  Son 
On  his  great  expedition  now  appeared. 
Girt  with  omnipotence,  with  radiance  crowned 
Of  majesty  divine,  sapience  and  love  195 

Immense,  and  all  his  Father  in   him  shone. 
About  his  chariot  numberless  were  poured 
Cherub  and  Seraph,  Potentates  and  Thrones, 
And  Virtues,  winged  spirits,  and  chariots  winged 

170.    myself  retire^    withdraw  highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good 

myself.  will  toward  men."     Luke  ii.  14 

17G.   Immediate.     ''  lie   spake,         192.  Hierarchies,  orders  of  an- 

md  it  was  done  ;  he  command-  geln. 
ed,  and   it   stood   fast."     Psalm        195.  sapience,  wisdom, 
xxxiii.  9.  199     Virtues,  one  of  the  crderi 

182,  183.  "  Glory  to  God  in  the  of  celestial  beings.     See  V.  601. 


Bookvil]  paradise  lost.  205 

From  the  armory  of  God,  where  stand  of  old  300 

Myriads  between  two  brazen  mountains  lodged, 

Against  a  solemn  day  harnessed  at  hand, 

Celestial  equipage  ;  and  now  came  forth 

Spontaneous,  for  within  them  spirit  lived. 

Attendant  on  their  Lord  :  Heaven  opened  wide      20fi 

Her  ever-during  gates,  harmonious  sound 

On  golden  hinges  moving,  to  let  forth 

The  King  of  glory,  in  his  powerful  Word 

And  Spirit  coming  to  create  new  worlds. 

On  heavenly  ground  they  stood,  and  from  the  shoi-e 

They  viewed  the  vast  immeasurable  abyss  211 

Outrageous  as  a  sea,  dark,  wasteful,  wild, 

Up  from  the  bottom  turned  by  furious  winds 

And  surging  waves,  as  mountains,  to  assault  214 

Heaven's  height,  and  with  the  centre  mix  the  pole. 

"  '  Silence,    ye  troubled  waves,    and    thou    deep, 
peace  ! ' 
Said  then  the  omnific  Word  ;  '  your  discord  end ! ' 
Nor  stayed,  but,  on  the  wings  of  cherubim 
Uplifted,  in  paternal  glory  rode 

Far  into  Chaos  and  the  world  unborn  ;  220 

For  Chaos  heard  his  voice.     Him  all  his  train 
Followed  in  bright  procession,  to  behold 
Creation  and  the  wonders  of  his  might. 
Then  stayed  the  fervid  wheels,  and  in  his  hand 
He  took  the  golden  compasses,  prepared  225 

In  God's  eternal  store,  to  circumscribe 

20\.  brazen  movntains.    "And        208.   The  Kins;  of  glory.      See 

I  turned,  and  lifted  up  mine  eyes,  Psalm  xxiv.  7-10. 
and    looked,   and  behold,   there        214.  It  is  suppcsed  that    the 

came  four  chariots  out  from  be-  poet   may  hare  dictated   In   in- 

tween  two  mountains  ;    and  the  ste^A  oi  And . — crs,  like. 
mountains   were    mountains    of        217.  omnijic^  all-making, 
krass."     Zechariah  Ti.  1.  221.  /(^ar</,  heard  and  obeyed. 

204.  within  them  spirit  lived.        224.  fervid,  glowing 
"  Whithersoever   the   spirit  was        226.  store,    treasury  or    treas 

to  go,   they  went;   thither  was  \xre.  — circumscribe,   draw  a  lint 

their  spirit  to  go."    Ezekiel  i.  20.  around,  so  as  to  include. 


206  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Vfl 

This  universe  and  all  created  things  : 

One  foot  he  centred,  and  the  other  turned 

Round  through  the  vast  profundity  obscure, 

And  said,  '  Thus  far  extend,  thus  far  thy  bounds,    23G 

This  be  thy  just  circumference,  O  World  !  ' 

"  Thus  God  the  heaven  created,  thus  the  earth, 
Matter  unformed  and  void  :  darkness  profound 
Covered  the  abyss ;  but  on  the  watery  calm 
His  brooding  wings  the  Spirit  of  God  outspread,     235 
And  vital  virtue  infused  and  vital  warmth 
Throughout  the  fluid  mass,  but  downward  purged 
The  black,  tartareous,  cold,  infernal  dregs, 
Adverse  to  life  :  then  founded,  then  conglobed 
Like  things  to  like,  the  rest  to  several  place  240 

Disparted,  and  between  spun  out  the  air ; 
And  Earth  self-balanced  on  her  centre  hung. 

"  '  Let  there  be  light ! '  said   God,  and  forthwith 
light 
Ethereal,  first  of  things,  quintessence  pure, 
Sprung  from  the  de^p,  and  from  her  native  east      245 
To  journey  through  the  aery  gloom  began. 
Sphered  in  a  radiant  cloud,  for  yet  the  sun 
Was  not ;  she  in  a  cloudy  tabernacle 
Sojourned  the  Avhile.      God  saw  the  light  was  good ; 
And  light  from  darkness  by  the  hemisphere  250 

227.    This  universe^  this  world  those   things  tliat  could  consist 

of  heaven  and  earth.  with  each  other. 

23.3-2.35.  "  And  the  earth  was  240.  ilie  rest.^  those  which  could 

without    form,    and    void;    and  not   thus   he  founded  and   con- 

darkness  was   upon  the  foce  of  globed.  —  several.,  separate ;   dis- 

the  deep.     And  the  Spirit  of  God  tinct. 

moved  upon  the  foce  of  the  wat-  24-3-252.     See  Genesis  i.  3-5. 

trs."     Genesi.s  i.  2.  248.    tabernacle.,   tent ;    tempo- 

236.  virtue,  power.  rary  abode. 

237.  purged,  separated.  250.  by  the  hemisphere.    As  the 
239.  then  founded,   then    con-  earth  is  round,  one  hilf  or  one 

globed,   then  melted  or  run   to-    heniis]phere  must  b<»  dark  while 
gether,   and    afterwards    formed    the  other  is  light. 
\jito  a  mass  like  things  to  like, 


600K  YILl  PARADISE  LOST.  2«j7 

Divided  :  light  tlie  day,  and  darkness  night 

He  named.  "  Ihus  was  the  first  day  even  and  morn ; 

Nor  passed  uncelebrated,  nor  unsung^ 

By  the  celestial  quires,  when  orient  light 

Exhaling  fii-st  from  darkness  they  beheld,  256 

Birthday  of  heaven  and  earth  ;  with  joy  and  shout 

The  holloAv  univereal  orb  they  filled, 

And  touched  their  golden  harps,  and  hynming  praised 

God  and  his  works ;  Creator  him  they  sung, 

Both  when  first  evening  was,  and  when  first  morn. 

»  Again  God  said,  '  Let  there  be  firmament         261 
Amid  the  watei^s,  and  let  it  divide 
The  waters  from  the  waters.'     And  God  made 
The  firmament,  expanse  of  liquid,  pure, 
Transparent,  elemental  air,  diffused  265 

In  circuit  to  the  uttermost  convex 
Of  this  great  round  ;  partition  firm  and  sure, 
The  waters  underneath  from  those  above 
Dividing  ;  for  as  earth,  so  he  the  world  ^ 
Built  on  circumfluous  waters  calm,  in  wide  270 

Crystalline  ocean,  and  the  loud  misrule 
Of  Chaos  far  removed,  lest  fierce  extremes 
Contiguous  might  distemper  the  whole  frame  ; 
And  heaven  he  named  the  firmament :  so  even 
And  morning  chorus  sung  the  second  day.  275 

"  The  earth  was  formed ;  but  in  the  womb  as  yet 
Of  waters  embryon  immature  involved, 

257.    U7iiversal     orb,      sphere  fore  morn,  as  in  Genesis  i.,  the 

which,  according  to  the  ancient  Hebrews  having  considered  the 

astronomy,  contained  the   earth  day  to  hegm  at  sunset. 

aiid  all  tlie  heavenly  bodies.  261-275.  See  Genesis  i.  6-8. 

253-260.    "  When  the  morning  270.  circumjivous,  llowing 

stars  sang  together,  and  all  the  round. 

ions   of  God  shouted  for  joy."'  273.     Contiguous,    coming    bo 

Job  xxsviii.  7.  near  as  to  touch  or  stnfee  each 

260.  evening  Is  mentioned  be-  other. 


808  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VII. 

Appeared  not :  over  all  the  face  of  earth 

Main  ocean  flowed,  not  idle,  but  with  warm 

Prolific  humor  softening  all  her  globe  280 

Fermented  the  great  mother  to  conceive, 

Satiate  with  genial  moisture ;  when  God  said, 

'  Be  gathered  now,  ye  waters  under  heaven, 

Into  one  place,  and  let  dry  land  appear ! ' 

Immediately  the  mountains  huge  appear  286 

Emergent,  and  their  broad  bare  backs  upheave 

Into  the  clouds,  their  tops  ascend  the  sky. 

So  high  as  heaved  the  tumid  hills,  so  low 

Down  sunk  a  hollow  bottom  broad  and  deep, 

Capacious  bed  of  waters  :  thither  they  290 

Hasted  with  glad  precipitance,  uprolled 

As  drops  on  dust  conglobing  from  the  dry  ; 

Part  rise  in  crystal  wall,  or  ridge  direct. 

For  haste  ;  such  flight  the  great  command  impressed 

On  the  swift  floods.     As  armies  at  the  call  296 

Of  trumpet  (for  of  armies  thou  hast  heard) 

Troop  to  their  standard,  so  the  watery  throng. 

Wave  rolling  after  wave,  where  way  they  found ; 

If  steep,  with  torrent  rapture  ;  if  through  plain, 

Soft-ebbing  :   nor  withstood  them  rock  or  hill ;         300 

But.  they,  or  underground,  or  circuit  wide 

With  serpent  error  wandering,  foimd  their  way, 

And  on  the  washy  ooze  deep  channels  wore  ; 

Easy,  ere  God  had  bid  the  ground  be  dry, 

279.  Main,  vast.  thy  thunder  they  hasted  away.»» 

280.  Inimor,  moisture.  Psahii  civ.  7. 

288-308.  See  Genesis  i.  9,  10,  299.  torrent,  rushing.— rapfz/re, 

286.  Emergent,  rising  out   of  violence  ;   violent  rapidity, 

the  waters.  801.  or  underground ,  or  circuit 

288.   So   high  —  so   low.       See  wide,  either  underground  or  in 

Psalm  civ.  8,  9.  wide  circuit. 

291.  precipitance, 'h-d.&iQ  ;  head-  302.  serpent,  winding  ;  serpent 

ong  flow.  like.  — error,  irregular  course. 

29S.  direct,    perpendicular;  303.  ooze,  soft  mud  or  slime, 

steep.  304.  Easy,  which  it  was  easy 

294.  such  flight.     "At  thy  re-  an  easy  thing,  to  do. 
buke  they  fled ;  at  the  voice  of 


BookYII.]  paradise  lost.  209 

All  but  within  those  banks,  where  rivei-s  now  805 

Stream,  and  perpetual  draw  their  humid  train. 

The  dry  land,  earth,  and  the  great  receptacle 

Of  congi-egated  waters  he  called  seas  ; 

And  saw  that  it  was  good,  and  said,  '  Let  the  earth 

Put  forth  the  verdant  grass,  herb  yielding  seed,       310 

And  fruit-tree  yielding  fruit  after  her  kind, 

>Yliose  seed  is  in  hei-self  upon  the  earth.' 

He  scarce  had  said,  when  the  bare  earth,  till  then 

Desert  and  bare,  unsightly,  unadorned. 

Brought  forth  the  tender  grass,  whose  verdure  clad 

Her  universal  face  with  pleasant  green ;  316 

Then  herbs  of  every  leaf,  that  sudden  flowered 

Opening  their  various  colors,  and  made  gay 

Her  bosom  smelling  sweet ;  and  these  scarce  blown. 

Forth  flourished  thick  the  clustering  vine,  forth  crept 

The  swelling  gourd,  up  stood  the  corny  reed  321 

Embattled  in  her  field,  and  the  humble  shrub, 

And  bush  with  frizzled  hair  implicit :  last 

Rose  as  in  dance  the  stately  trees,  and  spread 

Their  branches  hung  with  copious  fruit,  or  gemmed 

Their    blossoms.     AVith    high    woods  the  hills  were 

croAvned,  326 

With  tufts  the  valleys  and  each  fountain  side. 
With  borders  long  the  rivers ;  that  Earth  now 
Seemed  like  to  Heaven,   a  seat  where  gods  might 

dwell, 
Or  wander  with  delight,  and  love  to  haunt  33C 

Her  sacred  shades  :  though  God  had  yet  not  rained 
Upon  the  earth,  and  man  to  till  the  ground 
None  was ;  but  from  the  earth  a  dewy  mist 
Went  up  and  watered  all  the  ground,  and  each 

307.  earth,  he  called  earth.  322.  Embattled,  as  in  order  of 

309-312.  Sec  Genesis  i.  11,  12.  battle. 
314.  Desert,  uncultivatea.  32.3    implicit,  entangled. 

821.  the  corny  reed,  the  jointed        325.  g-mived.  put  forth, 
stem  of  corn  (gi-aiu).  328.  thai,  so  that. 


331-337    See  Genesis  ii.  5,  6 


14 


210  PARADISE  LOS 7  [Book  VII 

Plant  of  tlie  field,  which  ere  it  was  in  the  earth       836 
God  made,  and  every  herb  before  it  grew 
On  the  green  stem.      God  saw  that  it  was  good : 
So  even  and  morn  recorded  the  third  day. 

"  Again    the  Ahiiighty    spake  :  —  '  Let    there    be 
lights 
High  in  the  expanse  of  heaven,  to  divide  340 

The  day  from  night  ;  and  let  them  be  for  signs, 
For  seasons,  and  for  days,  and  circling  years  ; 
And  let  them  be  for  lights,  as  I  ordain 
Their  office  in  the  firmament  of  heaven, 
To  give  light  on  the  earth ;  '  and  it  was  so.  345 

And  God  made  tv/o  great  lights,  great  for  their  use 
To  man,  the  greater  to  have  rule  by  day. 
The  less  by  night,  altern  ;  and  made  the  stars, 
And  set  them  in  the  firmament  of  heaven 
To  illuminate  the  earth,  and  rule  the  day  350 

In  their  vicissitude,  and  rule  the  night, 
And  light  from  darkness  to  divide.      God  saw, 
Surveying  his  great  work,  that  it  was  good : 
For  of  celestial  bodies  first  the  sun 
A  mighty  sphere  he  framed,  unlightsome  first,  355 

Though  of  ethereal  mould  ;  then  formed  the  moon 
Globose,  and  every  magnitude  of  stars, 
And  sowed  with  sf  trs  the  heaven  thick  as  a  field. 
Of  light  by  far  thi  greater  part  he  took, 
Transplanted  from  her  cloudy  shrine,  and  placed    360 
In  the  sun's  orb,  made  porous  to  receive 
And  drink  the  liquid  light,  firm  to  retain 
Her  gathered  beams,  great  palace  now  of  light. 
Ulther,  as  to  their  fountain,  other  stars 

339-353    See  Genesis  i.  14:-18.  360.  her    cloudy    shrine.      Sec 

348.  altern^  alternate.  line  248. 

855    unlightsome,  wanting  363.  Her  refers'  to  llg\t 

^ght.  864.   other  stais,   the   planets, 

867.    Globose,  spherical.  which   shine    by  light  reflected 

from  the  sun. 


Book  VII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  211 

Repairing  in  their  golden  urns  draw  light,  86fl 

And  hence  the  morning  planet  gilds  her  horns : 

By  tincture  or  reflection  they  augment 

Their  small  peculiar,  though,  from  hmnan  sight 

So  far  remote,  Avith  diminution  seen. 

First  in  his  east  the  glorious  lamp  was  seen,  87<! 

Regent  of  day,  and  all  the  horizon  round 

Invested  with  bright  rays,  jocund  to  run 

His  longitude  through  heaven's  high  road  ;  the  gi<»y 

Dawn  and  the  Pleiades  before  him  danced 

Shedding  sweet  influence.     Less  bright  the  moon,    376 

But  opposite  in  levelled  west  was  set, 

His  mirror,  with  full  face  boiTOwing  her  light 

From  him,  for  other  light  she  needed  none 

In  that  aspect,  and  still  that  distance  keeps 

Till  night,  then  in  the  east  her  turn  she  shines,        380 

Revolved  on  heaven's  great  axle,  and  her  reign 

With  thousand  lesser  lights  dividual  holds. 

With  thousand  thousand  stars,  that  then  appeared 

Spangling  the  hemisphere.      Then,  first  adorned 

With  her  bright  luminaries  that  set  and  rose,  886 

Glad  evening  and  glad  morn  crowned  the  fourth  day. 

366.  the  mornins:  planet.  SeeV.  east  to  we?t.     "His  going  forth 

166-170. —  her  horns.  A'euus,  seea  is   from   the  end   of  the  heaven, 

through  the  telescope,  appears  at  and    his   circuit   unto   the  ends 

certain  times,  when  either  nioru-  thereof  "     Psalm  xix.  6. 

Ing  or    evening    star,    crescent-  374.  the  Pleiades  are  a  cluster 

ihaped  like  the  moon.  of  stars  in  the  constellation  Tau- 

867.  tincture.,  communication  ;  rus. 

receiving  into  themselves  by  ab-  375.  sioeet  influence.     "  Canst 

lorption.  thou  bind   the  sweet  influences 

368.  per?/;;ar,  exclusive  proper-  of  the  Pleiades  ?  "    Job  xxxviii. 

ty  ;  what  is  specially  their  own  31. 

—  the  Latin  "  peculium."  376.  levelled  ivest,  the  western 

372.  Invested,   clothed.  —  joe-  horizon. 

und  to  rnn.     '' In  them  hath  he  377.  His  mirror.,  reflecting  his 

set  a    tabernacle   for    the  sun ;  rays. 

which  is  as  a  bridegroom  coming  379.  that  u'^pect,  that  situation 

out  of  his  chamber,  and  rejoiceth  with  regard  to  the  sun  ;  here,  in 

a£  a  strong  man  to  run  a  race,  opposition. 

Psalm  xix.  4,  5.  380.  her  turn.,  in  her  turn. 

373.  longitude,  distance   from  382    dividual,  divided ;  shared 


212  PARADISE  L  OS  T.  [Booa.  VII 

"  And  God  said,  '  Let  the  watei-s  generate 
Reptile  with  spawn  abundant,  living  soul ; 
And  let  fo^vl  fly  above  the  earth,  with  wings 
Displayed  on  the  open  firmament  of  heaven.'  890 

And  God  created  the  great  whales,  and  each 
Soul  living,  each  that  crept,  which  plenteously 
The  waters  generated  by  their  kinds. 
And  every  bird  of  wing  after  his  kind  ; 
And  saw  that  it  was  good,  and  blessed  them,  saying, 
'  Be  fruitful,  multiply,  and  in  the  seas,  396 

And  lakes,  and  running  streams,  the  waters  fill : 
And  let  the  fowl  be  multiplied  on  the  earth.' 
Forthwith  the  sounds  and  seas,  each  creek  and  bay. 
With  fry  innumerable  swarm,  and  shoals  400 

Of  fish,  that  Avith  their  fins  and  shining  scales 
Glide  under  the  green  wave,  in  sculls  that  oft 
Bank  the  mid  sea  :  part  single  or  with  mate 
Graze    the    sea-weed,    their    pasture,    and    through 

groves 
Of  coral  stray,  or  sporting  with  quick  glance  405 

Show  to  the  sun  their  waved  coats  dropt  with  gold, 
Or  in  their  pearly  shells  at  ease  attend 
Moist  nutriment,  or  under  rocks  their  food 
In  jointed  armor  watch  ;  on  smooth  the  seal 
And  bended  dolj^hins  play  ;  part  huge  of  bulk        410 
Wallowing  unwieldy,  enormous  in  their  gait, 
Tempest  the  ocean.     There  leviathan, 
Hugest  of  living  creatures,  on  the  deep 

387-448.  See  Genesis  i.  20-23.  mor  anciently  worn  by  knights. 

388.  The  word  reptile   is   here  — smooth,  smooth  wnter. 

used  for  "  every  li\ing  creature  410.     bnvled    dolphins.       The 

that  moveth,  which  the  waters  dolphin  forms  an  arch  with  his 

brought  forth. "  body  as  he  leaps  out  of  the  water 

402.  sculls,  shoals  or  schools.  and  immediately  dives  again  be- 

403.  Bank,  rise  in  banks  in  neath  its  surface. 

405.  glance,  Hash  ;  gleam.  412.    Tempest,  disturb  as  by  a 

406.  droj/t,  variegated  ;  spotted,  tempestuous  ynnd.  —  Leviathan. 

407.  attend,  he  in  wait  for.  "  There  is  that  leviathan,  whom 
<M)0.  jointed  armor.    The  shell  thou  hast  made  to  play  therein.' 

of  the  lobster  resembles  the  ar-    Psahn  civ.  26. 


Book  VII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  213 

Stretched  like  a  promontory,  sleeps  or  swims, 

And  seems  a  moving  land,  and  at  his  gills  416 

Di*aws  in,  and  at  his  trunk  spouts  out,  a  sea. 

Meanwhile  the  tepid  caves,  and  fens,  and  shores, 

Their  brood  as  numerous  hatch  fi'om  the  egg,  that  soon 

Bureting  with  kindly  rupture  forth  disclosed  419 

Their  callow  young ;  but  feathered  soon  and  fledge 

They  summed  their  pens,  and  soaring  the  air  sublime 

With  clang  despised  the  ground,  under  a  cloud 

In  prospect  ;  there  the  eagle  and  the  stork 

On  cliffs  and  cedar  tops  their  eyries  build. 

Part  loosely  Aving  the  region,  part  more  wise  425 

In  common,  ranged  in  figure,  wedge  their  way, 

Intelligent  of  seasons,  and  set  forth 

Their  aery  caravan,  high  over  seas 

Flying,  and  over  lands,  with  mutual  wing 

Easing  their  flight ;  so  steers  the  prudent  crane      430 

Her  annual  voyage,  borne  on  winds  ;  the  air 

Floats,  as  they  pass,  fanned  with  unnumbered  plumes. 

From  branch  to  branch  the  smaller  birds  with  song 

Solaced  the  woods,  and  spread  their  painted  wings 

Till  even  ;  nor  then  the  solemn  nightingale  4r6 

Ceased  warbling,  but  all  night  tuned  her  soft  lays. 

Others  on  silver  lakes  and  rivers  bathed 

Their  downy  breast ;  the  swan,  with  arched  neck 

Between  her  white  wings  mantling  proudly,  rows 

414.  Stretched  like  a  prom  on-  ranks  arranged  in  the  form  of  a 

tonj.     See  I.  200-208.  wedge,  one  bird  leading   to  cut 

419.  rupture,  the  act  of  break-  the  air.     As  this  is  fatiguing,  the 
lag.  first  bird  soon  falls  back  and  an- 

420.  fledge,  fledged.  other  takes  his  place.   Thus  with 

421.  summed  t'leir  pens.    This  mutual    wing    they    ease    their 
is  a  term  of  falconry.  Pens  means  flight. 

wing  -  feathers,    and    the    whole  427.     Intelligent     of    seasons. 

lignifies  had  their  feathers  full-  "  Yea,  the  stork  in   the   heaven 

grown. — sublinie,  on  hish.  knoweth   her    appointed    times; 

423.    prospect,    view  ;     distant  and  the  turtle  and  the  crane  and 

riew. — there,   in  such   or   these  the  swallow  observe  the  time  of 

high  places,  the  air  sublime.  their  coming."    Jeremiah  viii.  ". 

425.  loosely,  separately.  434.   Solaced,  cheered. 

426.  Birds  of   passage    fly  in  439    mantling.    This  also  is  a 


214  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VII 

Her  state  with  oary  feet ;  yet  oft  they  quit  440 

The  dank,  and  rising  on  stiff  pennons  tower 
The  mid  aerial  sky.      Others  on  ground 
Walked  firm  ;  the  crested  cock  whose  clarion  sounds 
The  silent  hours,  and  the  other  Avhose  gay  train 
Adorns  him,  colored  with  the  florid  hue  445 

Of  rainbows  and  starry  eyes.      The  Avaters  thus 
With  fish  replenished,  and  the  air  with  fowl, 
Evening  and  morn  solemnized  the  fifth  day. 

"  The  sixth,  and  of  creation  last,  arose 
With  evening  harps  and  matin  ;  Avhen  God  said,     450 
'  Let  the  earth  bring  forth  soul  living  in  her  kind, 
Cattle,  and  creeping  things,  and  beast  of  the  earth, 
Each  in  their  kind.'     The  earth  obeyed,  and  straight 
Opening  her  fertile  womb  teemed  at  a  birth 
Innumerous  living  creatures,  perfect  forms,  455 

Limbed  and  full  grown  ;f  out  of  the  ground  up  rose, 
As  from  his  lair,  the  wild  beast  where  he  wons 
In  forest  wild,  in  thicket,  brake,  or  den ; 
Among  the  trees  in  pairs  they  rose,  they  walked, 
The  cattle  in  the  fields  and  meadows  green  ;  460 

Those  rare  and  solitary,  these  in  flocks 
Pasturing  at  once  and  in  broad  herds  up  sprung. 
The  grassy  clods  now  calved ;  now  half  appeared 
The  tawny  lion,  pawing  to  get  free  464 

His  hinder  parts,  then  springs  as  broke  from  bondsj 
And  rampant  shakes  his  brinded  mane  ;  the  ounce, 
The  libbard,  and  the  tiger,  as  the  mole 
Rising,  the  crumbled  earth  above  them  threw 
In  hillocks  ;  the  swift  stag  from  under  ground  469 

term  of  falconry,  signifying  that        444.  the  other,  the  ether  cock ; 

the  wings  ai-e  raised  so  as  to  form  the  peacock, 
a  sort  of  mantle  for  the  back.        450-408.  See  Genesis  i.  24,  25. 
In  this  line,  the  comma  should        454.  teemed,  poured  out. 
perhaps  be  put  after  mantling        457.  wons,  dwells  ;  abides. 
father  than  jiroiidly.  461.    Those  —  these.     See   linei 

440.  state,  stately  pomp.  457,  4G0. 

441.  pennons.    See  II.  933.  466.  rampant,  bounding. 

467.  libbard,  leopard. 


Boor  VII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  215 

Bore  up  Lis  branching  head ;  scarce  from  his  mould 

Behemoth,  biggest  born  of  earth,  upheaved 

His  vastness ;  fleeced  the  flocks  and  bleating  rose, 

As  plants ;  ambiguous  between  sea  and  land 

The  river  horse  and  scaly  crocodile. 

At  once  came  forth  whatever  creeps  the  ground,     475 

Insect  or  worm ;  those  waved  their  limber  fans 

For  wings,  and  smallest  lineaments  exact 

In  all  the  liveries  decked  of  summer's  pride 

With  spots  of  gold  and  purple,  azure  and  green ; 

These  as  a  line  their  long  dimension  drew,  480 

Streaking  the  ground  with  sinuous  trace ;  not  all 

Minims  of  Nature  ;  some  of  serpent  kind. 

Wondrous  in  length  and  corpulence,  involved 

Their  snaky  folds  and  added  wings.      First  crept 

The  parsimonious  emmet,  provident  485 

Of  future,  in  small  room  large  heart  enclosed  ; 

Pattern  of  just  equality  perhaps 

Hereafter,  joined  in  her  popular  tribes 

Of  commonalty  :  swarming  next  appeared 

The  female  bee,  that  feeds  her  husband  drone         490 

Deliciously,  and  builds  her  waxen  cells 

With  honey  stored.     The  rest  are  numberless, 

And  thou  their  natures  know'st,  and  gav'st  them 

names. 
Needless  to  thee  repeated ;  nor  unknown 
The  serpent,  subtlest  beast  of  all  the  field,  495 

471.  Behemoth  is  here  used  as        482.  Minims,  smallest  forms, 
the  name  of  the  elephant,  though        483.    corpulence,    bulk.  —  m- 

Jn  the  book  of  Job  (xl.  15-24)  it  voiced,  twisted  ;  entangled. 
Is    the    hippopotamus  or   river-        484.  added  uung<>,  as  the  drag 

horse  of  the  Nile.  on  and  other  fabulous  serpents. 

476.  t/«o5P,  insects.  —  fans,  not  — « (We (^/ is  here  a  verb. 

wings,  because  not  feathered.  485.    The  parsimonious  emmet. 

477.  lineaments,  outlines  of  the    See  Proverbs  vi.  6-8. 

shape,  as  representing  the  body.  493.  gav'st  them  names.     See 

fcee  V.  278.  Genesis  ii.  19,  20. 

478.  liveries,  forms  of  dress  or  495.  subtlest  beast.  "  Now  the 
farb.  —  decked,  if  connected  with  serpent  ivas  more  subtle  than  any 
waved,  agrees  with  tliose.  beast  of  the  field  which  the  liOrd 

480.  these.    See  worm,  in  line    had  made."     Genesis  ill   1. 
*76. 


216  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VU 

Of  Luge  extent  sometimes,  with  brazen  eyes 
And  hairy  mane  terrific,  though  to  thee 
Not  noxious,  but  obedient  at  thy  call. 

"  Now  heaven  in  all  her  glory  shone,  and  rolled 
Her  motions,  as  the  great  first  Mover's  hand  500 

First  wheeled  their  course ;  earth  In  her  rich  attire 
Consummate  lovely  smiled  ;  air,  water,  earth. 
By    fowl,    fish,    beast,    was    flown,    was    swum,    waa 

walked 
Frequent :  and  of  the  sixth  day  yet  remained. 
There  wanted  yet  the  master  work,  the  end  505 

Of  all  yet  done ;  a  creature  who,  not  prone 
And  brute  as  other  creatures  but  endued 
With  sanctity  of  reason,  might  erect 
His  stature,  and  upright  with  front  serene 
Govern  the  rest,  self-knowing,  and  from  thence        510 
Magnanimous  to  correspond  Avith  Heaven, 
But  grateftd  to  acknowledge  whence  his  good 
Descends,  thither  with  heart  and  voice  and  eyes 
Directed  in  d<^votion,  to  adore 
And  Avorship  God  supreme,  who  made  him  chief 
Of  all  his  works  :  therefore  the  omnipotent  616 

Eternal  Father  (for  where  is  not  he 
Present  ?)  thus  to  his  Son  audibly  spake : 

"  '  Let  us  make  now  Man  in  our  Image,  Man 
II  our  similitude,  and  let  them  rule  520 

Over  the  fish  and  fowl  of  scd,  and  air, 
Beast  of  the  field,  and  over  all  the  earth. 
And  every  creeping  thing  that  creeps  the  ground.* 
This  said,  he  formed  thee,  Adam,  thee,  O  Man, 
Dust  of  the  ground,  and  in  thy  nostrils  breathed      525 

504.      Frequent,      crowded ;  511.   Mnsimnlmous,  sufficient' 

thronged.  ly  grca  t  of  mind. 

606.  prone,  with  the  face  down-        519-534.  See  Genesi.s  i.  20-28. 
^ard.  625.  Dust  of  the  ground.  "And 


BookVIL]  paradise  lost.  217 

The  breath  of  Hfe  ;  in  his  own  Image  he 

Created  thee,  In  the  image  of  God 

Express,  and  thou  becam'st  a  living  soul. 

Male  he  created  thee,  but  thy  consort 

Female,  for  race ;  then  blessed  mankind,  and  said, 

'  Be  fruitful,  multiply,  and  fill  the  earth ;  531 

Subdue  it,  and  throughout  dominion  hold 

Over  fish  of  the  sea,  and  fowl  of  the  air, 

And  every  living  thing  that  moves  on  the  earth.* 

Wherever  thus  created,  for  no  place  535 

Is  yet  distinct  by  name,  thence,  as  thou  know'st, 

He  brought  thee  into  this  delicious  grove. 

This  garden,  planted  with  the  trees  of  God, 

Delectable  both  to  behold  and  taste ; 

And  freely  all  their  pleasant  fruit  for  food  54D 

Gave  thee  ;  all  sorts  are  here  that  all  the  earth  yields, 

Variety  without  end  ;  but  of  the  tree, 

Which  tasted  works  knowledge  of  good  and  evil, 

Thou  may'st  not ;  in  the  day  thou  eat'st,  thou  diest ; 

Death  is  the  penalty  imposed ;  beware,  545 

And  govern  well  thy  appetite,  lest  Sin 

Surprise  thee,  and  her  black  attendant  Death. 

"  Here  finished  he,  and  all  that  he  had  made 
Viewed,  and  behold,  all  was  entirely  good  : 
So  even  and  morn  accomplished  the  sixth  day  ;      560 
Yet  not  till  the  Creator  from  his  work 
Desisting,  though  unwearied,  up  returned. 
Up  to  the  heaven  of  heavens,  his  high  abode, 

the  Lord  God  formed  man  of  the        53b.   This  garden.    See  Genesis 

dust  of  the  ground,  and  breathed  ii.  8. 

into  his  nostrils   the   breath   of        539.  Delectable      "  Every   tree 

life  ;    and  man  became  a  living  that  is  pleasant  to  the  sight,  and 

soul."     Genesis  ii.  7.  good  for  food."     Genesis  ii.  9. 

528.  £'.r;'r^s.<t,  as  a  copy  or  hke-        544.    Thou    viaij'st    not.       See 

less  ;    the  adjective  agrees  with  Genesis  ii.  16,  17. 
tmas:e,  as  in  Hebrews  i.  3,  "  the        549.    all     was    entirely    good 

express  image."  "And  God  saw  every  thing  that 

535.   Wherever^   in  what  place  he   had   made,    and,    behold,   it 

soever  thou  wast.  was  very  good.'-     Genesis  i  31. 


218  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VII 

Thence  to  behold  this  new-created  world, 

The  addition  of  his  empire,  how  it  showed  656 

In  prospect  from  his  throne,  how  good,  how  fair, 

Answering  his  great  idea.      Up  he  rode. 

Followed  with  acclamation  and  the  sound 

Symphonious  of  ten  thousand  harps  that  tuned 

Angelic  harmonies  :  the  earth,  the  air  560 

Resounded  (thou  remember'st,  for  thou  heard'st), 

The  heavens  and  all  the  constellations  rung, 

The  planets  in  their  station  listening  stood. 

While  the  bright  pomp  ascended  jubilant. 

Open,  ye  everlasting  gates  ! '  they  sung,  666 

'  Open,  ye  heavens,  your  living  doors  !  let  in 
The  great  Creator  from  his  work  returned 
Magnificent,  his  six  da}'s'  work,  a  world  : 
Open,  and  henceforth  oft ;  for  God  will  deign 
To  visit  oft  the  dwellings  of  just  men  570 

Delighted,  and  with  frequent  intercourse 
Thither  will  send  his  winded  messenfiers 
On  errands  of  supernal  g.-ace.'      So  sung 
The  glorious  train  ascending.      He  through  Heaven, 
That  opened  Avide  her  blazing  portals,  led  575 

To  God's  eternal  house  direct  the  way, 
A  broad  and  ample  road,  whose  dust  is  gold 
And  pavement  stars,  as  stars  to  thee  appear. 
Seen  in  the  galaxy,  that  milky  way. 
Which  nightly  as  a  circling  .lone  thou  seest  68G 

Powdered  with  stars.     And  now  on  earth  the  seventh 
Evening  arose  in  Eden,  for  the  sun 
Was  set,  and  twilight  from  the  east  came  on. 
Forerunning  n,ight ;  when  at  the  holy  mount 

556.  In  prospect,  In  view.  of  glory  shall  come  in,"    Psalm 

562.  See  Job  xxxviii.  7.  xxiv.  7. 

^64. /lo/??;!,  procession.  575.  her  blazing  portals.      Se« 

565.  "  Lift  up  your  heads,  0  line  206. 

ye  gates;  and  be  ye  lifted  up,  ye  581.  Powdered  with  stars.     Sea 

•Terlasting  doors,  and  the  King  line  356.  —  the  seventh.    See  Qeii' 
esis  ii.  1-.3 


Book  VII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  219 

Of  Heaven's  liigix  seated  top,  the  Inipcrial  throne    585 

Of  Godhead,  fixed  forever  firm  and  sure, 

The  filial  Power  arrived,  and  sat  him  down 

With  his  great  Father,  for  he  also  went 

Invisible,  yet  stayed  (such  privilege 

Hath  Omnipresence),  and  the  work  ordained,         590 

Author  and  end  of  all  things,  and  from  work 

Now  resting  blessed  and  hallowed  the  seventh  day, 

As  resting  on  that  day  from  all  his  work ; 

But  not  in  silence  holy  kept :  the  harp 

Had  work  and  rested  not ;  the  solemn  pipe  595 

And  dulcimer,  all  organs  of  sweet  stop,  ^ 

All  sounds  on  fret  by  string  or  golden  wire, 

Tempered  soft  tunings  intermixed  with  voice 

Choral  or  unison  :  of  incense  clouds 

Fuming  from  golden  censers  hid  the  mount.  ^ 

Creation  and  the  six  days'  acts  they  sung : 

'  Great  are  thy  works,  Jehovah  !  infinite 

Thy    power;    what    thought  can    measure    thee,    or 

tongue 
Relate  thee  ?  greater  now  in  thy  return 
Than  from  the  giant  angels  ;  thee  that  dav  eOb 

Thy  thunders  magnified  ;  but  to  create 
Is  greater  than  created  to  destroy. 
Who  can  impair  thee,  mighty  King,  or  bound 
Thy  empire  V     Easily  the  proud  attempt 
Of  spirits  apostate  and  their  counsels  vain  610 

Thou  hast  repelled,  wh'.le  Impiously  they  thought 
Thee  to  diminish,  and  fiom  thee  Avithdraw 
The  number  of  thy  worshippers.     Who  seeks 

592.  hnllowed  the  seventh  day.        596.  stop,  that  which  regulates 

'For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  the  sound  of  wind-instruments, 
the   heaven  and  earth,  the   sea,        597.. /"/"f/  is   the  cross  division, 

and  ail  that  in  them  is,  and  rest-  or    wire,    which    regulates     tti« 

ed   the  seventh  day  :    wherefore  sound   of  stringed   iustruments, 

the  Lord  blessed  the  sabbath  day  or  varies  their  tone. 
\nA  hallowed  it."     Exodus   xx.        598.  <ew/wf(/,  made  to  accoid 
11.      In   this   line,  the   last  two        599.  m«(So?»,  sounding  alone 
words  seem  to  make  one  foot. 


220  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VII. 

To  lessen  thee,  against  bis  purpose  serves 

To  manifest  the  more  thy  might :  his  evil  616 

Thou  usest,  and  from  thence  creat'st  more  good. 

Witness  this  new-made  World,  another  heaven 

From  Heaven-gate  not  far,  founded  in  view 

On  the  clear  hyaline,  the  glassy  sea ; 

Of  amplitude  almost  immense,  with  stars  630 

Numerous,  and  every  star  perhaps  a  world 

Of  destined  habitation  ;  but  thou  know'st 

Their  seasons :  among  these  the  seat  of  men. 

Earth  with  her  nether  ocean  cireumfuscd,  624 

Their  pleasant  dwelling-place.     Thrice  happy  men, 

And  sons  of  men,  whom  God  hath  thus  advanced, 

Created  in  his  image,  there  to  dwell 

And  worship  him,  and  in  reward  to  rule 

Over  his  works,  on  earth,  in  sea,  or  air. 

And  multiply  a  race  of  worshippers  630 

Holy  and  just;  thrice  happy,  if  they  know 

Their  happiness,  and  persevere  upright ! ' 

"  So  sung  they,  and  the  empyrean  rung 
With  hallelujahs:  thus  was  sabbath  kept. 
And  thy  request  think  now  fulfilled,  that  asked       635 
How  first  this  world  and  face  of  things  began. 
And  what  before  thy  memory  was  done 
From  the  beginning,  that  posterity 
Informed  by  thee  might  know  ;  if  else  thou  seek'st 
Aught,  not  surpassing  human  measure,  say."  6i0 

619. /?yrtZmc,  composed  of  glass.  624.    nether,  lower.      See  line 

'  And  1  saw  as  it  were  a  sea  of  268. 

glosS;  mingled  with,  fire."    Rev.  633.    empyrean,    the    highest 

XV.  2.  heaven,  composed  of  the  purest 

^0.  immense,  vdthout  meas-  element.    See  11.  771 
on. 


BOOK  vm. 

TIIE  ARGUMENT 

hltUA  inquires  concerning  celestial  motions  ;  is  doubtfully  answenjd. 
and  exhorted  to  search  rather  things  more  worthy  of  knowledge  : 
Adam  assents,  and,  still  desirous  to  detain  Raphael,  relates  to 
him  what  he  remembered  since  his  own  creation,  his  placing  in 
Paradise,  his  talk  with  God  concerning  solitude  and  fit  society,  hia 
first  meeting  and  nuptials  with  Eve  ;  his  discourse  with  the  angel 
thereupon,  who,  after  admonitions  repeated,  departs. 

The  angel  endetl,  and  In  Adam's  ear 
So  charming  left  his  voice,  that  he  awhile 
Thought  him  still  speaking,  still  stood  fixed  to  hear ; 
Then,  as  new  waked,  thus  gratefully  replied  : 

"  What  thanks  sufficient,  or  what  recompense         5 
Equal,  have  I  to  render  thee,  divine 
Historian,  who  thus  largely  hast  allayed 
The  thirst  I  had  of  knowledge,  and  vouchsafed 
This  friendly  condescension  to  relate 
Things  else  by  me  unsearchable,  now  heard  10 

With  wonder  but  delight,  and,  as  is  due. 
With  glory  attributed  to  the  high 
Creator  ?   Something  yet  of  doubt  remains, 
Which  only  thy  solution  can  resolve. 
When  I  behold  this  goodly  frame,  this  World,  16 

3.  stood  fixed  to  hear.      This  maic.    Thi'^  supposed  the  Earth 

seems  to  mean,  remained  fixed  to  be  the  centre,  herself  motion- 

B.8  if  listening  less  or  sedentary,   round  which 

15-^.  Adam  is  here  made   to  the   Sun,   the  planets,   and  th« 

propose  the  difficulties  which  be-  fixed  stars  revolved.  See  III.  481- 

»et  the  ancient  system  of  Astron-  483. 
omy,  commonly  called  the  Ptole- 


522  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  YIH 

Of  heaven  and  earth  consisting,  and  compute 

Their  magnitudes,  this  earth  a  spot,  a  grain, 

An  atom,  with  the  firmament  compared 

And  all  her  numbered  stars,  that  seem  to  roll 

Spaces  incomprehensible  (for  such  20 

Their  distance  argues  and  their  swift  return 

Diurnal)  merely  to  officiate  light 

Round  this  opacous  earth,  this  punctual  spot, 

One  day  and  night,  in  all  their  vast  survey 

Useless  besides  ;  —  reasoning,  I  oft  admire  v 

How  Nature,  Avise  and  frugal,  could  commit 

Such  disproportions,  with  superfluous  hand 

So  many  nobler  bodies  to  create, 

Greater  so  manifold,  to  this  one  use. 

For  aught  appears,  and  on  their  orbs  impose  83 

Such  restless  revolution,  day  by  day 

Repeated,  while  the  sedentary  earth. 

That  better  might  with  far  less  compass  move, 

Served  by  more  noble  than  herself,  attains 

Her  end  Avithout  least  motion,  and  receives,  32 

As  tribute,  such  a  sumless  journey  brought 

Of  incorporeal  speed,  her  warmth  and  light ; 

Speed,  to  describe  whose  swiftness  number  fails." 

So  spake  our  sire,  and  by  his  countenance  seemed 
Entering  on  studious  thoughts  abstruse  ;  which  Eve 
Perceiving  where  she  sat  retired  in  sight,  41 

With  lowliness  majestic  from  her  seat, 
And  grace  that  won  who  saw  to  wish  her  stay. 
Rose,  and  went  forth  among  her  fruits  and  flowers, 

19.  numbered,  mmierous,  29.   Greater    so    manifold,    eo 

20.  Spaces,  through  spaces.  many  times  gi-eater. 

22.  officiate,   supply    as    it    is        30.  aught,  aught  that, 
their  office  or  duty  to  do.  33.  compass,  circuit. 

23.  opacous,  opaque. — pimc-  36.  sumless,  beyoud  computa- 
iual,  like  a  point,  as  iviih  the  fir-  tion.  —such,  by  or  through  such. 
mament  i-ompared.  37.  incorporeal,     as       without 

24.  siirvey,  extent.  body  ;    as    of  spirits.     See   line 

25.  admire,  wonder.  110. 


-500KVIII.]  PARADISE  LOST  223 

To  visit  liow  tliey  prospered,  bud  and  bloom,  ^ 

Her  nursery ;  they  at  her  coming  sprung, 

And,  touched  by  her  fair  tendance,  ghidlier  grew. 

Yet  went  she  not,  as  not  Avith  such  discourse 

Delighted,  or  not  capable  her  ear 

Of  what  was  high  :  such  pleasure  she  reserved,         BO 

Adam  relating,  she  sole  auditress ; 

Her  husband  the  relater  she  preferred 

Before  the  angel,  and  of  him  to  ask 

Chose  rather  ;  he,  she  knew,  would  intermix 

Grateful  digressions,  and  solve  high  dispute  55 

With  conjugal  caresses;  from  his  lip 

Not  words  alone  pleased  her.      Oh,  when  meet  now 

Such  pairs,  in  love  and  mutual  honor  joined  ? 

With  goddess-like  demeanor  forth  she  went, 

Not  unattended,  for  on  her  as  queen  60 

A  pomp  of  winning  graces  Avaited  still, 

And  from  about  her  shot  darts  of  desire 

Into  all  eyes  to  wish  her  still  in  sight. 

And  Raphael  now  to  Adam's  doubt  proposed 

Benevolent  and  facile  thus  replied  :  66 

"  To  ask  or  search  1  blame  thee  not,  for  heaven 
Is  as  the  book  of  God  before  thee  set, 
Wherein  to  read  his  wondrous  works,  and  learn 
His  seasons,  hours,  or  days,  or  months,  or  years ; 
This  to  attain,  whether  heaven  move  or  earth,  70 

Imports  not,  if  thou  reckon  right ;  the  rest 
From  man  or  angel  the  great  Architect 
Did  wisely  to  conceal,  and  not  divulge 
His  secrets  to  be  scanned  by  them  who  ought 

53.  to  ask.     "  And  if  they  will  70.   This,  this   knowledge  ;    to 

fcarn    anything,    let    them    ask  know  lokether  heaven    move    oi 

their  husbands  at  home."  1  Cor.  earth. 

jiv.  35.  71.  Imports  not,  is  not  of  con- 

55.   GratefuL  pleasing ;    agree-  sequence  —  the    rest,   what    b^ 

able.  longs   to  the  curious  pomts  ol 

61.  pomp,  train.  a&tronomy. 

65./aci7e,  easy  to  be  addressed ; 
attahle.    See  VII.  41. 


224-  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VIIL 

Rather  admire  ;  or  if  they  list  to  try  76 

Conjecture,  he  his  fabric  of  the  heavens 

Hath  left  to  their  disputes,  perhaps  to  move 

His  laughter  at  their  quaint  opinions  wide 

Hereafter,  when  they  come  to  model  heaven 

And  calculate  the  stai-s,  how  they  will  wield  80 

The  mighty  frame,  how  build,  unbuild,  contrive, 

To  save  appearances,  how  gird  the  sphere 

With  centric  and  eccentric  scribbled  o'er, 

Cycle  and  epicycle,  orb  in  orb. 

Already  by  thy  reasoning  this  I  guess  86 

Who  art  to  lead  thy  offspring,  and  supposest 

That  bodies  bright  and  greater  should  not  serve 

The  less  not  bright,  nor  heaven  such  journeys  run, 

Earth  sitting  still,  when  she  alone  receives 

The  benefit.      Consider  first,  that  great  90 

Or  bright  infers  not  excellence :  the  earth, 

Though  in  comparison  of  heaven  so  small, 

Nor  glistering,  may  of  solid  good  contain 

More  plenty  than  the  sun  that  barren  shines, 

Whose  virtue  on  itself  works  no  effect,  96 

But  in  the  fruitful  earth  ;  there  first  received, 

His  beams,  unactive  else,  their  vigor  find. 

Yet  not  to  earth  are  those  bright  luminaries 

Officious,  but  to  thee,  earth's  habitant. 

And  for  the  heaven's  wide  circuit,  let  it  speak         100 

75.  list^  incline  ;  please.  here  simply  the  circle  apparently 

78.  wide,  wide  from  the  truth,  described  in  a  certain  period  by 

79-84.    This  refers  to  the  sys-  a  heavenly   body  in  its   revolu- 

tem  of  the  ancients,   by   which  tion ;    the    second  signifies    the 

they  tried  to  save  appearances  ;  smaller  circle   in  which,   to  ac- 

that  is,  to  contrive  a  scheme  by  count  for  certain  irregularities  in 

which  all  the  apparent  motions  its  motion,  the  body  of  the  planet 

of  the  heavenly  bodies  could  be  was  supposed  to  move, 

accounted  for.  85.  this,  that  they  will  list  to 

83.  centric    and   eccentric    are  try  conjecture. 

astronomical   terms,   the  former  86.   Who.   The  antecedent  is  in 

meaning  in  or  tending  towards  thy,  line  85. 

the  centre,  and  the  latter  depart-  97.  vigor,  virtue  ;  power. 

ing  from  the  centre.  99.   Officious.    See   officiate  in 

84.  Cycle  and    epicycle.      The  line  22. 

6rst  of  these  terms  seems  to  mean        100.  for^  as  for.  —  let  it  speak 


BooicYIIL]  PARADISE  LOST.  225 

The  Maker's  high  magnificence,  who  built 

So  sj)acious,  and  his  line  stretched  out  so  far, 

That  man  may  know  he  dwells  not  in  his  ov/n ; 

An  edifice  too  large  for  him  to  fill, 

Lodged  in  a  small  partition,  and  the  rest  105 

Ordained  for  uses  to  his  Lord  best  known. 

The  swiftness  of  those  circles  attribute, 

Though  numberless,  to  his  omnipotence, 

That  to  corporeal  substances  could  add  109 

Speed  almost  spiritual :  me  thou  think'st  not  slow, 

Who  since  the  morning  hour  set  out  from  Heavgn 

Where  God  resides,  and  ere  mid-day  arrived 

In  Eden,  distance  inexpressible 

By  nnmbei-s  that  have  name.     But  this  I  urge, 

Admitting  motion  in  the  heavens,  to  show  115 

Invalid  that  which  thee  to  doubt  it  moved  ; 

Not  that  I  so  affirm,  though  so  it  seem 

To  thee  who  hast  thy  dwelling  here  on  earth. 

God,  to  remove  his  ways  from  human  sense. 

Placed  heaven  from  earth  so  far,  that  earthly  sight, 

If  it  presume,  might  err  in  things  too  high,  121 

And  no  advantage  gain.      What  if  tlie  sun 

Be  centre  to  the  World,  and  other  stars, 

By  his  attractive  virtue  and  their  own 

Incited,  dance  about  him  various  rounds  ?  125 

Their  wandering  coui-se  novf  high,  now  low,  then  hid, 

Progressive,  retrograde,  or  standing  still. 

In  six  thou  seest ;  and  what  if  seventh  to  these 

The  planet  earth,  so  steadfast  though  she  seem, 

Insensibly  three  different  motions  move  ?  130 

•  The  heavens  dec.are  the  glory  116.    Invalid,     weak  ;     of    no 

of  God,  and  the  firmament  show-  weight ;  to  shew  that  that  which 

cth  his  handy  work.     Day  unto  rnoved   thee  to  doubt  it  is  of  no 

day  uttered  speech,   and  night  force  as  a  reason. 

Intc  night  showeth  knowledge."  123.  TVbW</.  universe  or  sj'stem. 

Psahu  xix.  1,  2.  128.  In  six.    "  Moon  ....  and 

102.     his    line    stretched    out.  ye  five   other  wandering  fires." 

'  "Who  hath   stretched   the  Une  See  V.  175-178. 

upon  it"?    Job  xxxviii.  5.  130.    three    different    motion$ 

15 


22 6  PARA DISE  L  OS  T.  [Book  VIU. 

WTiich  else  to  several  spheres  thou  must  ascribe 

Moved  contrary  with  thwart  obliquities, 

Or  save  the  sun  his  labor,  and  that  swift 

Nocturnal  and  diurnal  rhomb  supposed. 

Invisible  else  above  all  stars,  the  wheel    '  138 

Of  day  and  night ;  which  needs  not  thy  belief, 

If  earth,  industrious  of  herself,  fetch  day 

Travelling  east,  and  with  her  part  averse 

From  the  sun's  beam  meet  night,  her  other  part 

Still  luminous  by  his  ray.      What  if  that  light,         i4<] 

Sent  from  her  through  the  wide  transpicuous  air 

To  the  terrestrial  moon,  be  as  a  star 

Enlightening  her  by  day,  as  she  by  night 

This  earth  ?  reciprocal,  if  land  be  there, 

Fields  and  inhabitants.      Her  spots  thou  seest  146 

As  clouds,  and  clouds  may  rain,  and  rain  produce 

Fruits  in  her  softened  soil,  for  some  to  eat 

Allotted  there  ;  and  other  suns  perhaps 

With  their  attendant  moons  thou  wilt  descry. 

Of  these,  the  first  is  her  daily  mover.     See  again  III.   481-483 

motion  on  her  own  axis  ;  the  sec-  It   was   thus    the   ivheel   of  day 

ond,    her  yearly   motion  round  and    nl^ht,    invisible    above    ail 

tlie  Sun  ;  the  third,  the  motion  stars;. 

of  libration,  as  it  is  called,  by  137-140.  This  complicated  sys- 

which  the  axis  of  the  Earth  is  tern  is  not  needed,  if  the  earth, 

always  kept  parallel  to  itself.  by  moving  on  her  own  axis  from 

131-136.    Otherwise    (that    is.  west  to  east,  causes  the  changes 

supposing   the   earth   to  be   the  of  day  and  night.      This  more 

centre  of  motion  to  the  heavenly  simple  explanation  of  theappear- 

bodies)   thou  viust  ascribe  these  ances    of    the    heavenly    bodies 

three  different  motions  to  several  forms  a  part  of  the  system  taught 

sp/ieres  moved   in  directions  op-  by  Copernicus  (from  whom  it  la 

posite   or    contrari/,   with    orbits  called   the   Copernican    system), 

crossing    one     another,     thwart  and  adopted  by  Galileo,  who  was 

obliquities ;  or  else  (as  before  sup-  contemporary  with  IMilton.     The 

posed,  line  122)  thou  must  save  poet  here  makes  the  angel  and 

the  sun  his  labor,  ^nd  ^lsosa.\e  the  Adam    anticipate    the   inquii-ies 

labor  of  t/iat  swift  nocturnal  and  and  discussions  of  his  own  time. 

diurnal  rliomb  supposed,  this  be-  140.    luminous,    illumined    or 

Sng  the  imaginary  sphere  which  made  bright, 

bicluded  the  earth  and  all   the  141.  transpicuous,  transparent, 

heavenly  bodies,  and  by  its  own  142.  be  as  a  star^  be  lo  h«r  af 

motion    set  in    motion    all    the  that  of  a  star, 
iower    spheres    and    was    hence 
Balled  "  primum  mobile,"  or  first 


Book  VIII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  227 

Communicating  male  and  female  light  160 

(\VhIcli  two  great  sexes  animate  the  world), 

Stored  In  each  orb  perhaps  with  some  that  live  : 

For  such  vast  room  in  nature  unpossessed 

By  living  soul,  desert  ffnd  desolate. 

Only  to  shine,  yet  scarce  to  contribute  156 

Each  orb  a  glimpse  of  light  conveyed  so  far 

Down  to  this  habitable,  which  returns 

Light  back  to  them,  is  obvious  to  dispute. 

But  whether  thus  these  things  or  whether  not,  — 

Whether  the  sun  predominant  In  heaven  160 

Rise  on  the  earth  or  earth  rise  on  the  sun, 

He  from  the  east  his  flaming  road  begin 

Or  she  from  the  west  her  silent  coui^e  advance 

AVith  Inoflensive  pace,  that  spinning  sleeps 

On  her  soft  axle,  while  she  paces  even  166 

And  bears  thee  soft  with  the  smooth  air  along, — 

Solicit  not  thy  thoughts  with  matters  hid  ; 

Leave  them  to  God  above,  him  serve  and  fear. 

Of  other  creatures,  as  him  pleases  best. 

Wherever  placed,  let  him  dispose ;  joy  thou  170 

In  what  he  gives  to  thee,  this  Paradise 

And  thy  fair  Eve ;  heaven  is  for  thee  too  high 

To  know  what  passes  there  :  be  lowly  wise ; 

Think  only  what  concerns  thee  and  thy  being  ; 

Dream  not  of  other  worlds,  what  creatures  there     175 

Live,  in  what  state,  condition,  or  degree. 

Contented  that  thus  far  hath  been  revealed, 

Not  of  Earth  only,  but  of  highest  Heaven." 

150.     male,    that    is,    direct ;  158.  obvious  to  dispute,  open 

original.  — female,  reflected,   as  to    doubt ;    the  whole   sentence 

of  moons.  from  line  153  being  the  subject 

152.   pfthaps  with   some   that  of  the  verb  is. 

live,  perhaps   stored  or  supplied  1*54.  inoffensive,    not    striking 

with  Uving  beings.  against  anything. 

154.  destrt,  uninhabited.  1*37.  Solicit,  disturb. 

157.  habitable.     This  is  an  imi-  170.  joy,  rejoice, 
tation  of  the  Greek.    The  word 
'earth"  or  "world"  must  be 
supplied 


228  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VIII 

To  whom  thus  Adam,  cleared  of  dcubt,  replied : 
"  How  fully  hast  thou  satisfied  me,  pure  189 

Intelligence  of  Heaven,  angel  serene  ! 
And,  freed  from  intricacies,  taught  to  live 
The  easiest  way,  nor  with  perplexing  thoughts 
To  interrupt  the  sweet  of  life,  from  which 
God  hath  bid  dwell  far  off  all  anxious  cares,  185 

And  not  molest  us,  unless  we  ourselves 
Seek  them  with  wandering  thoughts  and  notions  vain. 
But  apt  the  mind  or  flmcy  is  to  rove 
Unchecked  ;  and  of  her  roving  is  no  end, 
Till  warned,  or  by  experience  taught,  she  learn       19u 
That  not  to  know  at  large  of  things  remote 
From  use,  obscure  and  subtle,  but  to  know 
That  which  before  us  hes  in  daily  life. 
Is  the  prime  wisdom ;  what  is  more,  is  fume, 
Or  emptiness,  or  fond  impertinence,  195 

And  renders  us  in  things  that  most  concern 
Unpractised,  unprepared,  and  still  to  seek. 
Therefore  from  this  high  pitch  let  us  descend 
A  lower  flight,  and  speak  of  things  at  hand 
Useful,  whence  haply  mention  may  arise  200 

Of  something  not  unseasonable  to  ask, 
By  sufferance  and  thy  wonted  favor  deigned. 
Thee  I  have  heard  relating  what  was  done 
Ere  my  remembrance ;  now  hear  me  relate 
.My  story,  which  perhaps  thou  hast  not  heard ;         205 
And  day  is  yet  not  spent ;  till  then  thou  seest 
How  subtly  to  detain  thee  I  devise, 
Inviting  thee  to  hear  while  I  relate,  — 
Fond,  were  it  not  in  hope  of  thy  reply : 
For  while  I  sit  with  thee  I  seem  in  Heaven,  210 


191.  at  large.,  widely  ;  in  full.  derstood  ;  as   in  Comus,   '•  I  dC 

192.  subtle^  subtile.  not  think  my  sister  so  to  seek." 
194.  fume.,  smoke ;  vapor.  202.  sufferance^  permissioa 
197.  still  to  seek,  still  obliged  allowance. 

K)  seek  or  learn,  not  having  un-       209.  Fond,  foolish. 


Book  VIII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  22S 

And  sweeter  thy  discourse  Is  to  my  ear 

Than  fruits  of  palm-tree,  pleasantcst  to  thirst 

And  hunger  both,  from  labor,  at  the  hour 

Of  sweet  repast :  they  satiate  and  soon  fill,  21< 

Though  pleasant ;  but  thy  words,  with  grace  divine 

Imbued,  bring  to  tlieir  sweetness  no  satiety." 

To  whom  thus  Raphael  answered  heavenly  meek : 
"  Nor  are  thy  lips  ungraceful,  sire  of  men. 
Nor  tongue  ineloquent ;  for  God  on  thee 
Abundantly  his  gifts  hath  also  poured,  220 

Inward  and  outward  both,  his  image  fair; 
Speaking  or  mute  all  comeliness  and  grace 
Attends  thee,  and  each  word,  each  motion  forms. 
Nor  less  think  we  in  Heaven  of  thee  on  Earth 
Than  of  our  fellow-servant,  and  inquire  225 

Gladly  into  the  ways  of  God  with  man  ; 
For  God  we  see  hath  honored  thee,  and  set 
On  man  his  equal  love.      Say  therefore  on ; 
For  I  that  day  was  absent,  as  befell, 
Bound  on  a  voyage  uncouth  and  obscure,  290 

Far  on  excursion  toward  the  gates  of  Hell ; 
Squared  in  full  legion  (such  command  we  had) 
To  see  that  none  thence  issued  forth  a  spy 
Or  enemy  while  God  was  in  his  work. 
Lest  he,  incensed  at  such  eruption  bold,  235 

Destruction  with  creation  might  have  mixed. 
Not  that  they  durst  without  his  leave  attempt, 
But  us  he  sends  upon  his  high  behests 
For  state,  as  sovran  king,  and  to  inure 
Our  prompt  obedience.     Fast  we  found,  fast  shut, 

213.    from,    after  ;      returned  229.  that  day,  the  day  of  the 

from.  creation  of  man.  —  as  befell,  &9 

225.     and    inquire.      "  ^\Tiich  it  chanced, 

things  the  angei.-t  desire  to  look  230.     uncouth,     strange  ;     un 

into."     1  Peter  i.  12.  known. 

iSS.  his  fqual  love,  love  equal  239.   inure,    practise;     put    is 

.0  that  with  which  he  regards  us.  use 


230  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VHl. 

The  dismal  gates,  and  barricadoed  strong  ;  jJH 

But,  long  ere  our  approaching,  heard  within 

Noise,  other  than  tlie  sound  of  dance  or  song, 

Torment  and  loud  lament  and  furious  rage. 

Glad  we  returned  up  to  the  coasts  of  light  245 

Ere  sabbath  evening  ;  so  we  had  in  charge. 

But  thy  relation  now ;  for  I  attend. 

Pleased  with  thy  words  no  less  than  thou  with  mine." 

So  spake  the  godlike  Power,  and  thus  our  sire  : 
"  For  man  to  tell  how  human  life  began  250 

Is  hard  ;  for  who  himself  beginning  knew  ? 
Desire  with  thee  still  longer  to  convei-se 
Induced  me.      As  ncAV  waked  from  soundest  sleep, 
Soft  on  the  flowery  herb  I  found  me  laid, 
In  balmy  sweat,  which  with  his  beams  the  sun         255 
Soon  dried,  and  on  the  reeking  moisture  fed. 
Straight  toward  heaven  my  wondering  eyes  I  turned, 
And  gazed  awhile  the  ample  sky,  till  raised 
By  quick  instinctive  motion  up  I  sprung. 
As  thitherward  endeavoring,  and  upright  2®J 

Stood  on  my  feet :  about  me  round  I  saw 
Hill,  dale,  and  shady  woods,  and  sunny  plains, 
And  liquid  lapse  of  murmuring  streams  ;  by  these, 
Creatures  that  lived  and  moved,  and  walked  or  flew ; 
Birds  on  the  branches  warbling  ;  all  things  smiled ; 
With  fragrance  and  with  joy  my  heart  o'erflowed. 
Myself  I  then  perused,  and  limb  by  limb  26i 

Surveyed,  and  sometimes  went,  and  sometimes  ran 
With  supple  joints,  as  lively  vigor  led  ; 
But  who  I  was,  or  where,  or  from  what  cause,         270 
Knew  not :  to  speak  I  tried,  and  forthwith  spake  ; 
My  tongue  obeyed,  and  readily  could  name 

247.  relation^  recital ;  narra-  253.  Induced  me,  led  me  t« 
ti\e.  ~- attend,  wait;  wait  for  propose  such  relation. — .<ls,  as  if 
»t.  2tJ3.  lapse^  flow  ;  gliding. 


Book  VIII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  231 

Whate'er.  I  saw.     '  Thou  sun,'  said  I,  '  fair  light, 

And  tliou  enlightened  earth,  so  fresh  and  gay. 

Ye  hills  and  dales,  ye  rivers,  woods,  and  plains,       2U 

And  ye  that  live  and  move,  fair  creatures,  tell, 

Tell,  if  ye  saw,  how  came  I  thus,  how  here  ? 

Not  of  myself;  by  some  great  maker  then, 

In  goodness  and  in  power  preeminent : 

Tell  me  how  may  I  know  him,  how  adore,  280 

From  whom  I  have  that  thus  I  move  and  live. 

And  feel  that  I  am  happier  than  I  know.' 

While  thus  I  called,  and  strayed  I  knew  not  whither 

From  where  I  first  drew  air  and  first  beheld 

This  happy  light,  when  answer  none  returned,          285 

On  a  green  shady  bank,  profuse  of  flowei-s, 

Pensive  I  sat  me  down  ;  there  gentle  sleep 

First  found  me,  and  with  soft  oppression  seized 

My  drowsed  sense,  untroubled,  tliough  I  thought 

I  then  was  passing  to  my  former  state  290 

Insensible,  and  forthwith  to  dissolve  ; 

When  suddenly  stood  at  my  head  a  dream, 

W^hose  inward  apparition  gently  moved 

My  fancy  to  believe  I  yet  had  being 

And  lived.      One  came,  methought,  of  shape  divine, 

And  said,  '  Thy  mansion  wants  thee,  Adam ;  rise,  296 

First  man,  of  men  innumerable  ordained 

First  father !  called  by  thee,  I  come  thy  guide 

To  the  garden  of  bliss,  thy  seat  prepared.' 

So  saying,  by  the  hand  he  took  me  raised,  30c 

And,  over  fields  and  watei-s  as  in  air 

Smooth  sliding  without  step,  last  led  me  up 

A  woody  mountain,  whose  high  top  was  plain, 

A  circuit  Avide  enclosed,  with  goodliest  trees 

Planted,  with  walks  and  bowers,  that  what  I  saw    305 

Of  earth  before  scarce  pleasant  seemed.     Each  trse 

281.  From  who-n.     "In  him        30C-309    Compare  IV.  131-148 
we  live  and  move  and  have  our 
being."    Acts  svii.  28. 


232  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VIII 

Loaden  Avitli  foircst  fruit,  that  linng  to  the  eye 

Tempting,  stirred  in  me  sudden  appetite 

To  pluck  and  eat ;  whereat  I  waked,  and  found 

Before  mine  ej'es  all  real,  as  the  dream  818 

Had  lively  shadowed.     Here  had  new  begun 

My  wandering,  had  not  He,  who  was  my  guide 

Up  hither,  from  among  the  trees  appeared. 

Presence  divine.      Rejoicing,  but  with  awe, 

In  adoration  at  his  feet  I  fell  316 

Submlss ;  he  reared  me,  and,  *  Whom  thou  sought'st 

I  am,' 
Said  mildly,  '  Author  of  all  this  thou  seest 
Above,  or  round  about  thee,  or  beneath. 
This  Paradise  I  give  thee,  count  it  thine 
To  till  and  keep,  and  of  the  fruit  to  eat :  320 

Of  every  tree  that  in  the  garden  grows 
Eat  freely  with  glad  heart ;  fear  here  no  dearth. 
But  of  the  tree  whose  operation  brings 
Knowledge  of  good  and  ill,  which  I  have  set, 
The  pledge  of  thy  obedience  and  thy  faith,  325 

Amid  the  garden  by  the  Tree  of  Life, 
Remember  what  I  warn  thee,  shun  to  taste. 
And  shun  the  bitter  consequence  ;  for  know. 
The  day  thou  eat'st  thereof,  my  sole  command 
Transgressed,  inevitably  thou  shalt  die,  330 

From  that  day  mortal,  and  this  happy  state 
Shalt  lose,  expelled  from  hence  into  a  world 
Of  woe  and  sorrow.'      Sternly  he  pronounced 
The  rigid  interdiction,  Avhlch  resounds 
Yet  dreadful  in  mine  ear.  though  in  my  choice        335 
Not  to  incur  ;  but  soon  his  clear  aspect 

316.  Suhmiss,  submissive  ,  or,  323.  oppration,  action  or  effect 
Ba  a  Latinism,  prostrate.— re are^A  3.31.  viortnL  subject  to  death, 
raised.  335.  thoin^k  in  my  choice  not  la 

320.    To  till  ami  keep.     "  And    hicur,  though  it  has  been  left  t* 
the  Lord  God  took  the  man  and    my  choice  not  to  incur  such  pei> 
put  him  into  the  garden  of  Eden,     alty. 
to  drees  it  and  to  keep  it  "    Gen 
ii.  16. 


Book  VIII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  283 

Returned,  and  gi-acious  purpose  thus  renewed : 
Not  only  these  lair  boun<ls,  but  all  the  earth 
To  thee  and  to  thy  race  I  give  ;  as  lords 
Possess  it,  and  all  things  that  therein  live,  840 

Or  live  in  sea  or  air,  beast,  fish,  and  fowl. 
In  sign  whereof  each  bird  and  beast  behold 
After  their  kinds  ;   I  bring  them  to  receive 
From  thee  their  names,  and  pay  thee  fealty 
With  low  subjection  ;  understand  the  same  345 

Of  fish  within  their  watery  residence, 
Not  hither  summoned,  since  they  cannot  change 
Their  element  to  draw  the  thinner  air.' 
As  thus  he  spake,  each  bird  and  beast  behold 
Approaching  two  and  two ;  these  cowering  low       350 
With  blandishment,  each  bird  stooped  on  his  wing. 
I  named  them  as  they  passed,  and  understood 
Their  nature,  with  such  knowledge  God  endued 
My  sudden  apprehension  ;  but  in  these 
I  found  not  what  niethought  I  wanted  still  ;  355 

And  to  the  heavenly  vision  thus  presumed  : 

"  '  O  by  what  name,  for  thou  above  all  these, 
Above  mankind,  or  aught  than  mankind  higher, 
Surpassest  for  my  naming,  how  may  I 
Adore  thee.  Author  of  this  universe,  360 

And  all  this  good  to  man,  for  whose  well-being 
So  amply,  and  Avith  hands  so  liberal. 
Thou  hast  provided  all  things  ?  but  with  me 
I  see  not  Avho  partakes.     In  solitude 
What  happiness,  who  can  enjoy  alone,  866 

Or  all  enjoying  what  contentment  find  ?  ' 
Thus  I  presumptuous  ;  and  the  Vision  bright, 
As  with  a  smile  more  brigh'iened,  thus  replied : 

837.  purpose,  speech  ;    conver         351.  stooped  is  here  a  partioi 
sation  ;  the  French  "  propos."        pie. 
iW    *Jiese  refers  to  beast.  353.  presumed  to  speak. 


234  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VIII 

"  *  What  call'st  thou  solitude  ?    Is  not  the  earth 
With  various  living  creatures,  and  the  air  378 

Replenished,  and  all  these  at  thy  command 
To  come  and  play  before  thee  ?     know'st  thou  not 
Their  language  and  their  ways  ?  they  also  know, 
And  reason  not  contemptibly  ;  with  these 
Find  pastime,  and  bear  rule  ;  thy  realm  is  large.'    3'5 
So  spake  the  universal  Lord,  and  seemed 
So  ordering.     I,  with  leave  of  speech  implored, 
And  humble  deprecation,  thus  replied : 

"  '  Let  not  my  words  offend  thee,  heavenly  Power, 
My  Maker,  be  propitious  while  I  speak.  380 

Hast  thou  not  made  me  here  thy  substitute, 
And  these  inferior  far  beneath  me  set  ? 
•  vVmong  unequals  what  society 
Can  sort,  what  harmony  or  true  delight  ? 
Which  must  be  mutual,  in  proportion  due  385 

Given  and  received  ;  but  in  disparity, 
The  one  intense,  the  other  still  remiss. 
Cannot  Avell  suit  Avith  either,  but  soon  prove 
Tedious  alike.      Of  fellowship  I  speak 
Such  as  I  seek,  fit  to  participate  390 

All  rational  delight,  Avherein  the  brute 
Cannot  be  human  consort :  they  rejoice 
Each  with  their  kind,  lion  with  lioness  ; 
So  fitly  them  in  pairs  thou  hast  combined  ; 
Much  less  can  bird  with  beast,  or  fish  with  fowl       S95 
So  well  converse,  nor  with  the  ox  the  ape ; 
Worse  then  can  man  with  beast,  and  least  of  all.' 

"  ^\^lereto  the  Almighty  ansAvered,  not  displeased : 

378.  deprfcntion,  entreaty  for  strings  of  a  musical  instrument 

pardon  or  forbearance.  The  one  being  ialPtise. 

384.  50^/,  consort ;  unite.  3S3.   Cannot.    Tlie  nominative 

387.  intense,      strained,      and  is  -.ohich,  as  in  line  3S5. 

"emiss,  sjiick  or  lo(.>se,  like  tlie  39d.   Converse,  associate 


Boon  y  III.]  PARADISE  L  OS T.  235 

A  nice  and  subtle  happiness  I  see 
Thou  to  thyself  proposest  in  the  choice  100 

Of  thy  associates,  Adam,  and  wilt  taste 
No  pleasure,  though  in  pleasure,  solitary. 
What  think'st  thou  then  of  me,  and  this  my  state  ? 
Seem  I  to  thee  sufficiently  possessed 
Of  happiness,  or  not  ?  Avho  am  alone  *oe 

From  all  eternity,  for  none  I  kno^Y 
Second  to  me  or  like,  equal  much  less. 
How  have  I  then  with  whom  to  hold  converse, 
Save  with  the  creatures  which  I  made,  and  those 
To  me  inferior,  infinite  descents  ^  410 

Beneath  what  other  creatures  are  to  thee  ?  ' 

"  He  ceased  ;  I  lowly  answered  :  '  To  attain 
The  height  and  depth  of  thy  eternal  ways 
All  human  thoughts  com^  short,  Supreme  of  things  ! 
Thou  in  thyself  art  perfect,  and  in  thee  415 

Is  no  deficience  found  ;  not  so  is  nian. 
But  in  degree,  the  cause  of  his  desire 
By  convei-sation  with  his  like  to  help 
Or  solace  his  defects.      No  need  that  thou 
Shouldst  propagate,  already  infinite,  420 

And  through  all  numbers  absolute  though  one  ; 
But  man  by  number  is  to  manifest 
His  single  Imperfection,  and  bcget^ 
Like  of  his  like,  his  image  multiplied, 
In  unity  defective,  which  requires  425 

Collateral  love  and  dearest  amity. 

413^15    "0  the  depth   of  the        421.  through  all  numbers  abso- 
rich  Jboth  of  the  wisaom  and    lute.     This  is  a  Lahn-sm,  mean- 

4A7    )n  decree,  in  his  degree  ;     fection  while  yiugle. 
comparltivel^.-Wcau..,  which    „^  125.  ^  i.t^ou^l/  defective,  deft 
is  the  cause. 

118.    Conj-e. 
590,  408,  43i 


is  the  cause. 

118.   Coiu-ersaAion.      Se*    Unes 


cieut  11  hut  onu. 


236  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VIU 

Thou  in  thy  secrecy  although  alone, 

Best  with  thyself  accompanied,  seek'st  not 

Social  communication,  yet,  so  pleased, 

Canst  raise  thy  creatures  to  what  height  thou  wilt   433 

Of  union  or  communion,  deified  , 

I  by  conversing  cannot  these  erect 

From  prone,  nor  in  their  ways  complacence  find.' 

Thus  I  emboldened  spake,  and  freedom  used 

Permissive,  and  acceptance  found,  which  gained       435 

This  answer  from  the  gracious  voice  divine  : 

"  '  Thus  far  to  try  thee,  Adam,  I  was  pleased, 
And  find  thee  knowing  not  of  beasts  alone. 
Which  thou  hast  rightly  named,  but  of  thyself, 
Expressing  well  the  spirit  within  thee  free,  440 

My  image,  not  imparted  to  the  brute, 
Whose  fellowship  therefore  unmeet  for  thee 
Good  reason  was  thou  freely  shouldst  dislike  ; 
And  be  so  minded  still.      I,  ere  thou  spak'st, 
Knew  it  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,  445 

And  no  such  company  as  then  thou  saw'st 
Intended  thee,  for  trial  only  brought, 
To  see  how  thou  couldst  judge  of  fit  and  meet. 
What  next  I  bring  shall  please  thee,  be  assured, 
Thy  likeness,  thy  fit  help,  thy  other  self,  450 

Thy  wish  exactly  to  thy  heart's  desire.' 

"  He  ended,  or  I  heard  no  more  ;  for  now 
My  earthly  by  his  heavenly  overpowered. 
Which  it  had  long  stood  under,  strained  to  the  height 
In  that  celestial  colloquy  sublime,  455 

ill.    Secrecy.    See  I.  6.  435.  Permissive.,  granted  ;    al- 

429.  -so  pleased.,  if  thou  art  so  lowed, 

pleased.  445.  "  And  the  Lord  God  said, 

432.  these.     See  lines  369-375.  It  is  not  good  that  man  slioulcj 
-  erfct,  make  upright.  be  alone."     Genesis  ii.  18. 

433.  From  prone.,  from   being        454.  strained.  See  line  3S7 
prone,    with    the    head   or  face 

downwards. 


Book  YIIL]  PARADISE  LOST.  237 

As  with  an  object  that  excels  the  sense 

Dazzled  and  spent  sunk  down,  and  sought  repair 

Of  sleep,  which  instantly  fell  on  me,  called 

By  nature  as  in  aid,  and  closed  mine  eyes. 

Mine  eyes  he  closed,  but  open  left  the  cell  46C 

Of  fancy,  my  internal  sight,  by  which 

Abstract  as  in  a  trance  methought  I  saw, 

Though  sleeping,  where  I  lay,  and  saw  the  shape 

Still  glorious  before  whom  awake  I  stood ; 

Who  stooping  opened  my  left  side,  and  took  i66 

From  thence  a  rib,  Avith  cordial  spirits  warm, 

And  life-blood  streaming  fresh ;  wide  was  the  wound, 

But  suddenly  with  flesh  filled  up  and  healed. 

The  rib  he  formed  and  fashioned  with  his  hands  ; 

Under  his  forming  hands  a  creature  grew,  470 

Manlike,  but  different  sex,  so  lovely  fair 

That  what  seemed  fair  in  all  the  world  seemed  now 

Mean,  or  in  her  summed  up,  in  her  contained, 

And  in  her  looks,  Avhich  from  that  time  infused 

Sweetness  into  my  heart  unfelt  before,  475 

And  into  all  things  from  her  air  inspired 

The  spirit  of  love  and  amorous  delight. 

She  disappeared,  and  left  me  dark ;  I  waked 

To  find  her,  or  forever  to  deplore 

Her  loss,  and  other  pleasures  all  abjure :  480 

When,  out  of  hope,  behold  her  not  f^ir  off. 

Such  as  I  saAv  her  In  my  dream,  adorned 

With  what  all  Earth  or  Heaven  could  bestow 

To  make  her  amiable.      On  she  came. 

Led  by  her  heavenly  Maker,  though  unseen,  486 

And  guided  by  his  voice,  nor  uninformed 

Of  nuptial  sanctity  and  marriage  rites  : 

461.  fancy,  my  internal  sight  466.  cordial^  from  the  heart. 

Compare  V.  100-111.  481.  out    of  hope,   beyond  my 

482.  Abstract,  drawn  away  ;  out  hope  ;  more  than  I  hoped 

of  myself.  —  Saw,  verb  neuter.  484.  amiable^  lovely. 

4C5-471    SeeGenesisu.  21,  22. 


238  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VIH 

Grace  was  in  all  her  steps,  heaven  in  her  eye, 

In  every  gesture  dignity  and  love. 

I  overjoyed  could  not  forbear  aloud  :  49C 

"  '  This  turn  hath  made  amends  ;  thou  hast  fulfilled 
Thy  words,  Creator  bounteous  and  benign, 
Giver  of  all  things  fair,  but  fairest  this 
Of  all  thy  gifts,  nor  enviest.      I  now  see 
Bone  of  my  bone,  flesh  of  my  flesh,  myself  495 

Before  me  ;  AVoman  is  her  name,  of  man 
Extracted  :  for  this  cause  he  shall  forego 
Father  and  mother,  and  to  his  Avife  adhere  ; 
And  they  shall  be  one  flesh,  one  heart,  one  soul.' 

"  She  heard  me  thiis,  and  though  divinely  brought, 
Yet  innocence  and  virgin  modesty,  601 

Her  virtue  and  the  conscience  of  her  worth. 
That  would  be  wooed  and  not  unsought  be  won, 
Not  obvious,  not  obtrusive,  but  retired 
The  more  desirable ;  or,  to  say  all,  505 

Nature  herself,  though  pure  of  sinful  thought, 
Wrouglit  in  her  so,  that  seeing  me  she  turned  ; 
I  followed  her,  she  what  was  honor  knew, 
And  with  obsequious  majesty  approved 
My  pleaded  reason.      To  the  nuptial  bower  510 

I  led  her  blushing  like  the  morn  :   all  heaven 
And  happy  constellations  on  that  hour 
Shed  their  selcctest  influence ;  the  earth 
Gave  sign  of  gratulation,  and  each  hill ; 
Joyous  the  birds  ;  fresh  gales  and  gentle  airs  515 

Whispered  it  to  the  woods,  and  from  their  wings 
Flung  rose,  flung  odors  from  the  spicy  shrub, 

490.  aloud,  uttering  aloud.  502.  conscience,  consciousnesd 

494.  nor  enviest,  nor  dost  thou  as  in  Hebrews  x.  2,  "  should  have 

Jrithhold  out  of  ill-will.  had  no  more  conscience  of  sins." 

495-499.  See  Genesis  ii.  23,  24.  504.  retired,  when  retired. 
501.  For  the  verb,  see  line  507. 


BookVJII.]  paradise  LOST.  239 

Disporting  till  the  amorous  bird  of  night 

Sung  spousal,  and  bid  haste  the  evening  star 

On  his  hill  top  to  light  the  bridal  lamp.  520 

''Thus  have  I  told  thee  all  my  state,  and  brought 
My  story  to  the  sum  of  earthly  bliss. 
Which  I  enjoy,  and  must  confess  to  find 
In  all  things  else  delight  indeed,  but  such 
As,  used  or  not,  Avorks  in  the  mind  no  change,  525 

Nor  vehement  desire  ;  these  delicacies 
I    mean    of    taste,    sight,    smell,    herbs,    fruits,    and 

flowers, 
Walks,  and  the  melody  of  birds  :  but  here, 
Far  otherwise,  transported  I  behold, 
Transported  touch  ;£bere  passion  first  I  felt,  530 

Commotion  strange,  in  all  enjoyments  else 
Superior  and  unmoved,  here  only  weak 
Against  the  charm  of  beauty's  powerful  glance. 
Or  nature  failed  in  me,  and  left  some  part 
Not  proof  enough  such  object  to  sustain,  536 

Or  from  my  side  subducting  took  perhaps 
More  than  enough  ;  at  least  on  her  bestowed 
Too  much  of  ornament,  in  outward  show 
Elaborate,  of  inward  less  exact. 

For  well  I  understand  in  the  prime  end  540 

Of  nature  her  the  inferior,  in  the  mind 
And  inward  faculties  which  most  excel, 
In  outward  also  her  resembling  less 
His  image  Avho  made  both,  and  less  expressing 
The  character  of  that  dominion  given  545 

O'er  other  creatures  ;  yet  Avhen  I  approach 
Her  loveliness,  so  absolute  she  seems 
And  in  herself  complete,  so  well  to  know 
Her  own,  that  what  slie  wills  to  do  or  say 
Seems  wisest,  v'rtuousest,  discreetest,  best :  56C 

534.   Or,  either  547.  absolute^  perfect. 


240  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VIII 

All  higher  knowledge  in  her  presence  falls 

Degraded  ;  wisdom  in  discourse  with  her 

Loses  discountenanced,  and  like  folly  shows  ; 

Authority  and  reason  on  her  wait, 

As  one  intended  first,  not  after  made  Mfi 

Occasionally  ;  and,  to  consummate  all, 

Greatness  of  mind  and  nobleness  their  seat 

Build  in  her  loveliest,  and  create  an  awe 

About  her,  as  a  guard  angelic  placed." 

To  whom  the  angel  with  contracted  brow  r  500 

"  Accuse  not  nature,  she  hath  done  her  part ; 
Do  thou  but  thine,  and  be  not  diffident 
Of  wisdom  ;  she  deserts  thee  not,  if  thou 
Dismiss  not  her  when  most  thou  need'st  her  nigh, 
By  attributing  overmuch  to  tilings  565 

Less  excellent,  as  thou  thyself  perceiv'st. 
For  what  admir'st  thou,  what  transports  thee  so  ? 
An  outside,  fair  no  doubt,  and  worthy  well 
Thy  cherishing,  thy  honoring,  and  thy  love, 
Not  thy  subjection  :   Aveigh  wi^i  her  thyself,  670 

Then  value.      Oft-times  nothing  profits  more 
Than  self-esteem,  grounded  on  just  and  right 
Well  managed  ;  of  that  skill  the  more  thou  know'st, 
The  more  she  will  acknowledge  thee  her  head. 
And  to  realities  yield  all  her  shows :  575 

Made  so  adorn  for  thy  delight  the  more, 
So  awful,  that  Avith  honor  thou  may'st  love 
Thy  mate,  who  sees  when  thou  art  seen  least  wise. 
But  if  the  sense  of  touch,  whereby  mankind 
Is  propagated,  seem  such  dear  delight  580 

552.  Degraded,  cast  down  from        562.  diffident,  distrustful. 

Its  rank.  568.  In  some  copies,  we  find  an 

553.  di&coimtenanced,  abashed  ;    interrogation  mark  instead  of  a 
put  out  of  countenance. —  shows,    comma  after  outside. 

seems.  576.  adorn,  adorned. 

556.   Orxasionally,  to  meet  an        578.  sees,  perceives, 
occasion  or  want. 


Book  VIII.]  PARADISE   LOST.  241 

Beyond  all  other,  think  the  same  vouchsafed 

To  cattle  and  each  beiist ;  which  would  not  be 

To  them  made  common  and  divulged,  if  aught 

Therein  enjoyed  were  worthy  to  subdue 

The  soul  of  man,  or  passion  in  him  move,  68S 

What  higher  in  her  society  thou  find'st 

Attractive,  human,  rational,  love  still ; 

In  loving  thou  dost  well,  in  passion  not, 

Wherein  true  love  consists  not ;  love  refines 

The  thoughts,  and  heart  enlarges,  hath  his  seat       6S0 

In  reason,  and  is  judicious,  is  the  scale 

By  which  to  heavenly  love  thou  may'st  ascend, 

Not  sunk  in  carnal  pleasure  ;  for  which  cause 

Among  the  beasts  no  mate  for  thee  was  found." 

To  whom  thus,  half  abashed,  Adam  replied  :        695 
"  Neither  her  outside  formed  so  fair,  nor  aught 
In  procreation  common  to  all  kinds 
(Though  higher  of  the  genial  bed  by  far 
And  with  mysterious  reverence  I  deem) 
So  much  delights  me,  as  those  graceful  acts,  600 

Those  thousand  decencies  that  daily  flow 
From  all  her  words  and  actions,  mixed  with  love 
And  sweet  compliance,  which  declare  unfeigned 
Union  of  mind,  or  in  us  both  one  soul ; 
Harmony  to  behold  in  wedded  pair  605 

More  grateful  than  harmonious  sound  to  the  ear. 
Yet  these  subject  not ;  I  to  thee  disclose 
What  inward  thence  I  feel,  not  therefore  foiled, 
Who  meet  with  various  objects  from  the  sense 
Variously  representing,  yet  still  free  610 

'Approve  the  best,  and  follow  what  I  approve. 
To  love  thou  blam'st  me  not,  for  love  thou  say'st 


601.  decencies^  becoming  waj-s.    senting,    senses    which     present 
609.   IWtoweef,  because  I  meet,    anew  in  various  ways. 
609,  610.    sejise  variously  repre 

16 


242  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  VIIL 

Leads  up  to  Heaven,  is  both  the  way  and  guide  : 
Bear  with  me  then,  if  lawful  what  I  ask;  — 
Love  not  the  heavenly  spirits  ?  and  how  their  love  616 
Express  they  ?  by  looks  only,  or  do  they  mix 
Irradiance,  virtual  or  immediate  touch  ?  " 

To  whom  the  angel,  with  a  smile  that  glowed 
Celestial  rosy  red,  love's  proper  hue, 
Answered :  "  Let  it  suffice  thee  that  thou  know'st  620 
Us  happy,  and  without  love  no  happiness. 
Whatever  pure  thou  in  the  body  enjoy'st 
(And  pure  thou  wert  created)  we  enjoy 
In  eminence,  and  obstacle  find  none 
Of  membrane,  joint,  or  limb,  exclusive  bars  ;  625 

Easier  than  air  with  air,  if  spirits  embrace, 
Total  they  mix,  union  of  pure  with  pure 
Desiring  ;  nor  restrained  conveyance  need, 
As  flesh  to  mix  with  flesh,  or  soul  with  soul. 
But  I  can  now  no  more  ;  the  parting  sun  680 

Beyond  the  earth's  green  Cape  and  verdant  Isles 
Hesperian  sets,  my  signal  to  depart. 
Be  strong,  live  happy,  and  love,  but  first  of  all 
Him  whom  to  love  is  to  obey,  and  keep 
His  great  command  ;  take  heed  lest  passion  sway   635 
Thy  judgment  to  do  aught,  which  else  free  will 
Would  not  admit ;  thine  and  of  all  tliy  sons 
The  weal  or  woe  in  thee  is  placed  ;  beware  ! 
l  in  thy  persevering  shall  rejoice, 
And  all  the  blest.     Stand  fiist ;  to  stand  or  fall      640 
Free  in  thine  own  arbitrament  it  lies. 

631,  632.  green  Cape  and  verd-  634.  tvhom  to  love  is  to  obey, 

tint  Isles  Hesperian.     Cape  Verde  "  For  this  is  the  love  of  God,  that 

(Green)  is  the  western  cape  of  we  '<eep  his  commandments."    1 

Africa,  and  the  islands  beyond  John  v.  3. 

It  and  called  by  its  name,  being  636.  dse^    otherwise  ;    without 

farther  to  the  west  or  nearer  to  influence  of  passion, 

ihe  setting  sun,  are  here  termed  637.  admit^  allow,  --thine,  of 

Hesperian,  from   Hesperus,  the  thee, 
avenin^  star. 


Book  VIIL]  PARADISE  LOST.  243 

Perfect  within,  no  outward  aid  require ; 
And  all  temptation  to  transgress  repel." 

So  saying,  he  arose ;  whom  Adam  thus 
Followed  with  benediction  :  "  Since  to  part,  646 

Go,  heavenly  guest,  ethereal  messenger, 
Sent  from  whose  sovran  goodness  I  adore. 
Gentle  to  me  and  affable  hath  been 
Thy  condescension,  and  shall  be  honored  ever 
With  grateful  memc";?  ;  thou  to  mankind  660 

Be  good  and  friendly  still,  and  oft  return." 

So  parted  they ;  the  angel  up  to  Heaven 
From  the  thick  shade,  and  Adam  to  his  bower. 

645.  <rparJ,  thou  art  about  to       647.  ^om  whose,   from   him 
depart.  whose. 


BOOK  IX. 

THE  ARGUMENT. 

Satan,  having  compassed  the  earth,  with  meditated  guile  returns  as 
a  mist  by  night  into  Paradise,  and  enters  into  the  serpent  sleeping. 
Adam  and  Eve  in  the  morning  go  forth  to  their  labors,  which  Eve 
proposes  to  divide  in  several  places,  each  laboring  apart.  Adam 
consents  not,  alleging  the  danger  lest  that  enemy  of  whom  they 
were  forewarned  should  attempt  her  found  alone.  Eve,  loath  to  be 
thought  not  circumspect  or  firm  enough,  urges  her  going  apart, 
the  rather  desirous  to  make  ti-ial  of  her  strength  ;  Adam  at  last 
yields.  The  serpent  finds  her  alone  ;  his  subtle  approach,  first 
gazing,  then  speaking,  with  much  flatter}'  extolling  Eve  above  all 
other  creatures.  Eve,  wondering  to  hear  the  serpent  speak,  asks 
how  he  attained  to  human  speech  and  such  understanding  not  till 
now  ;  the  serpent  answers,  that  by  tasting  of  a  certain  tree  in  the 
garden  he  attained  both  to  speech  and  reason,  till  then  void  of 
both.  Eve  requires  him  to  bi'ing  her  to  that  tree,  and  finds  it  to 
be  the  tree  of  knowledge  forbidden.  The  serpent,  now  grown 
holder,  with  many  wiles  and  arguments  induces  her  at  length  to 
eat :  she,  pleased  with  the  taste,  deliberates  awhile  whether  to 
impart  thereof  to  Adam  or  not ;  at  last  brings  him  of  the  fruit 
relates  what  persuaded  her  to  eat  thereof.  Adam,  at  first  amazed j 
but  perceiving  her  lost,  resolves  through  vehemence  of  love  to 
perish  with  her  ;  and  extenuating  the  trespas.s  eats  also  of  the 
fruit.    The  effects  thereof  in  them  both  ;  they  seek  to  cover  their 

■■a         nakedness  ;  then  fall  to  variance  and  accusation  of  one  another. 

.  -^ 

"^         No  more  of  talk  where  God  or  angel  guest 

\|"  With  man,  as  with  his  friend,  familiar  used 

^  To  sit  indulgent,  and  with  him  partake 

■:i  Rural  repast,  permitting  him  the  while 

vJ  Venial  discourse  unblamed  :  I  now  must  change        6 

Those  notes  to  tragic  ;  foul  distrust  and  breach 

^"K.  Disloyal  on  the  part  of  man,  revolt 

<y/  And  disobedience  ;  on  the  part  of  Heaven 


Book  IX.] 


PARADISE  LOST. 


245 


^ 


\^ 


Now  alienated,  distance  and  distaste, 
Anger  and  just  rebuke,  and  judgment  given, 
That  brought  into  this  world  a  world  of  woe, 
Sin  and  her  shadow  Death,  and  Misery 
Death's  harbinger :  sad  task  !  yet  argument 
Not  less  but  more  heroic  than  the  wrath 
Of  stern  Achilles  on  his  foe  pursued, 
Thrice  fugitive,  about  Troy  wall ;  or  rage 
Of  Turnus  for  Lavinia  disespoused  ; 
Or  Neptune's  ire  or  Juno's,  that  so  long 
Perplexed  the  Greek  and  Cytherea's  son  : 
I|'.aiis\x£ral}la,style.I-cao..Qlitaiit. 
Of  my  celestial  patroness,  who  deigns 
Her  nightly  visitatloQ  uaimplwed^^ 
Alul-xlL^ates  to  me  sluuibering,  or  inspires 
Easy. my .  unprenxeditated  Yei-sa^; 
Since  first  this  subject  for  heroic  song 
Pleased  me,  long  choosing  and  beginning  late, 


10 


IB 


13.  argument.  See  I.  24. 
14-16.  The  subject  of  Homer's 
Iliad  is  the  wrath  of  .-Vchilles,  or 
his  quarrel  with  Agamemnon, 
and  its  consequences.  Ilere,  the 
wrath  of  stern  Achilles  is  the 
spirit  of  revenge  roused  by  the 
death  of  his  friend  Patroclus, 
who  was  killed  by  the  Trojan 
hero,  Hector.  This  foe  he  chased 
three  times  round  the  walls  of 
Troy,  and,  having  slain  him,  tied 
his  body  to  his  chariot  and 
dragged  it  to  his  ships. 

16,  17.  Reference  is  here  made 
to  a  part  of  the  story  of  ^Eneas, 
related  by  Virgil  in  the  jSlneid. 
.Lavinia^  the  daughter  of  Lati- 
aus,  had  been  promised  in  mar- 
riage to  Titrnus.  She  was  givon 
by  her  father  to  J^neas,  and  thus 
disespoused  from  Turnus. 

18,  19.  The  Greek,  perplexer/  so 
ting  by  Nfptune^s  ire,  was  Ulys- 
fces,  or  Odysseus,  whose  adven- 
tures are  related  by  Homer  in  the 
Vdyssey.  CyLherea''s  son,  so  long 
verpUxed    by    Juno''s    ire,    was 


^neas.  Cy therea  was  one  of  the 
names  of  Venus.  —  Milton  de- 
clares that  the  subject  of  his  own 
poem  is  not  less  but  more  heroic 
than  that  of  either  of  the  three 
great  epic  poems  of  antiquity, 
the  Iliad,  the  Odyssey,  and  the 
^gEneid,  inasmuch  as  it  treats  of 
the  anger  and  just  rebuke  of 
Heaven,  rather  than  of  the  wrath 
of  stern  Achilles,  or  the  rage  of 
Turnus,  or  Neptune^s  ire  or 
Juno^s. 

20.  ansiverable,  suitable. 

21.  my  celestial  jiatroness.  the 
heavenl}'  Muse  invoked  at  the 
opening  of  the  First  Book  and 
again  in  tlie  Seventh. 

22.  Her  nightly  visitation.  See 
111.26-40. 

26.  long  choosing  and  begin- 
ning late.  Earlier  in  life,  Milton 
had  proposed  to  wiite  an  epio 
poem  of  which  King  Arthur 
should  be  the  subject ;  but  the 
present  poem  was  not  begun  till 
after  he  was  fifty  vears  old 


^ 


246  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX. 

Not  sedulous  by  nature  to  indite 
Wars,  hitherto  the  only  argument 
Heroic  deemed,  chief  mastery  to  dissect 
With  long  and  tedious  havoc  fabled  knights  8C 

In  battles  feigned  (the  better  fortitude 
Of  patience  and  heroic  martyrdom 
Unsung)  ;  or  to  describe  races  and  games, 
J  jOr  tilting  furniture,  emblazoned  shields, 
..    iTrnpresses  quaint,  caparisons  and  steeds,  85 

^     :  Bases  and  tinsel  trappings,  gorgeous  knights 
^"    I  At  joust  and  tournament ;  then  marshalled  feast 
^  I  Served  up  in  hall  with  sewers  and  seneschals ; 
-^    i  The  skill  of  artifice  or  office  mean, 

;  Not  that  which  justly  gives  heroic  name  40 

I  To  person  or  to  poem.     Me,  of  these 
I  Nor  skilled  nor  studious,  higher  argument 
I  Remains,  sufficient  of  itself  to  raise 
■  That  name,  unless  an  age  too  late,  or  cold 
Climate,  or  years,  damp  my  intended  wing  |5 

Depressed,  and  much  they  may,  if  all  be  mine, 
Not  hers  who  brings  it  nightly  to  my  ear. 

The  sun  was  sunk,  and  after  him  the  star 
Of  Hesperus,  whose  office  is  to  bring 

27.    sedulous  to    indite^   sedu-  36.  Bases  were  a  sort  of  skirt, 

I  msly  bent  on  inditing.  which  was  worn  by  the  knight 

28-31.     The    wars     of    fabled  when  on  horseback,  and  reached 

Imights  formed  the  subject  of  the  to  the  knees, 

old  romantic  poems,  such  as  the  37,  38.     The    knightly    feasts 

Orlando  Furioso  of  Ariosto.  were  attended  by  marshals  who 

34.  tilting  furniture,  all  the  ar-  placed   the  guests  according   to 

ray  with  wliich  the  knights  who  their  rank,  while  the  seiver  ar- 

Bngaged  in  tilts,  or  contests  with  ranged  the  meats  on  the  table, 

the    lance,   were    furnished  and  under  the  superintendence  of  the 

accompanied.  —  emblazoned,  ad-  sewcsc/irti,  or  house-steward, 

orned  with    the  devices  of  her-  41-43.  To  me,  who  am  neither 

*ldry,  or  armorial  bearings.  skilled     nor   studious    of    such 

36.  Imj/tesses  quaint,    fanciful  things  as  these,  there  remains  a 

emblems    or     subjects    on     th«  higher  theme  or  subject, 

shield.      These    were    generally  44.  that  name.     See  line  40. 

Bome  figure,  wirh  a  motto.  49.  Hesperus.    See  IV  606. 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  247 

Twilight  upon  tlie  earth,  short  arbiter  60 

'Twixt  day  and  night ;  and  now  from  end  to  end 
Night's  hemisphere  had  veiled  the  horizon  round, 
When  Satan,  who  late  fled  before  the  threats 
Of  Gabriel  out  of  Eden,  now  improved 
In  meditated  fraud  and  malice,  bent  55 

On  man's  destruction   maugre  what  might  hap 
Of  heavier  on  himself,  fearless  returned. 
By  night  he  fled,  and  at  midnight  returned 
From  compassing  the  earth,  cautious  of  day. 
Since  Uriel,  regent  of  the  sun,  descried   ^  60 

His  entrance,  and  forewarned  the  cherubim 
That  kept  their  watch  ;  thence  full  of  anguish  driven, 
The  space  of  seven  continued  nights  he  rode 
With  darkness,  thrice  the  equinoctial  line 
He  circled,  four  times  crossed  the  car  of  night  55 

From  pole  to  pole,  traversing  each  colure ; 
On  the  eighth  returned,  and  on  the  coast  averse 
From  entrance  or  cherubic  watch  by  stealth 
Found  unsuspected  way.     There  was  a  place 
(Now   not,  though    sin    not  time    fii-st   wrought    the 
change)  "^0 

Where  Tigris  at  the  foot  of  Paradise 
Into  a  gulf  shot  under  ground,  till  part 
Rose  up  a  fountain  by  the  Tree  of  Life : 
In  with  the  river  sunk  and  with  it  rose 
Satan  involved  in  rising  mist,  then  sought  75 

Where  to  lie  hid  ;  sea  he  had  searched  and  land 

50.  arbiter,  one  who  comes  be-  earth,  bringing  darkness,   while 

tween  two  parties  to  settle  their  his  course  v;-as  from  jmle  to  pole. 

confiictiug  chiims.  66.  eack  colure.      The   colures 

56.  maugre,  notwithstanding;  are  two  great  circles  which  cross 

In  spite  of.  the  ecliptic    and   intersect   each 

59.  cautious    of,    careful    to  other  at  right  angles  in  the  poles 
nyoid.  of  the  world  or  univer.^e.  —  trav- 

60.  Uriel.      See  IV.    125    ani  ersim;.  passing  along,  in  a  direc- 
655-592.  tion  at  right  angles  to  the  course 

as.    The  space  of.  during.  of  the  car  of  night. 

♦W,.  crossed  the  car  of  ninht,  as        67.  the  const  ai-erse,  that  part 
t    moved  westward    round   the    of  the  border    of  Paradise  awaj 
fi'om. 


248  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

From  Eden  over  Pontus  and  the  pool 

Maeotis,  up  beyond  the  river  Ob  ; 

Downward  as  far  antarctic  ;  and  in  length 

West  from  Orontes  to  the  ocean  barred  8C 

At  Darien,  thence  to  the  land  where  flows 

Ganges  and  Indus.      Thus  tlie  orb  he  roamed 

With  narrow  search,  and  with  inspection  deep 

Considered  every  creature,  which  of  all 

Most  opportune  might  serve  his  wiles,  and  found       8S 

The  serpent  subtlest  beast  of  all  the  field. 

Him  after  long  debate,  irresolute 

Of  thoughts  revolved,  his  final  sentence  chose 

Fit  vessel,  fittest  imp  of  fraud,  in  whom 

To  enter,  and  his  dark  suggestions  hide  90 

From  sharpest  sight ;  for  in  the  wily  snake 

Whatever  sleights  none  would  suspicious  m?.rk, 

As  from  his  wit  and  native  subllety 

Proceeding,  which  in  other  beasts  observed 

J)oubt  might  beget  of  diaboHc  power  96 

Active  within  beyond  the  sense  of  brute. 

Thus  he  resolved,  but  first  from  inward  grief 

His  bursting  passion  into  plaints  thus  poured  : 

"  O  Earth,  how  like  to  Heaven,  if  not  preferred 
More  justly,  seat  worthier  of  gods,  as  built  loc 

77.  Pontiis,  Pontus   Euxinus,  principal  rivers  of  Ilindostan  or 

the  Black  Sea.  India,  which  he  reached  by   his 

77,  78.  the  pool  McEotis^  Palus  western  course.  —  the  orb,  the 
Maeotis,  tlie  Sea  of  Azov.  earth ;    in   Latin,   "  orbis   terra- 

78.  Ob,  the  Obi,  a  river  of  Sibe-  rum,"  the  circle  of  the  lands. 
ria.                                                   ^  83.  narrow,  close  ;  scrutinizing 

1^.  Dowmvard  as  far  antarctic,  87.  debate,   deliberation.  — ir 

US  far  to  the  south  as  first  to  the  resolute  of,  hesitating  between, 

florth.  89  fittest  imp  of  fraud,  fittest 

80.  Orontes,  a  river  of  Syria,  of  the  creatures  to  receive  and 
flowing  into  the  Mediterranean  practise  fraud.  "  Now  the  ser- 
Bea.     See  IV.  273.  pent  was  more  subtil  than  any 

81.  Darien.      The  isthmus  of  beast  of  the  field  which  the  Lord 
Darien  unites  the  two  parts  of  God  had  made."     Genesis  iii.  1 
the  continent   of   America,   and  92.   Whatever  sleights,  artifice* 
leems  to  form  a  barric^r   to    the  whatever  they  might  be. 
waters  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  99.  preferred,  to  be  preferred. 

82.  Ganges    and    Indus,    the 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  249 

With  second  thouglits,  reforming  what  was  old  I 

For  what  god,  after  better,  worse  would  build  ? 

Terrestrial  heaven,  danced  round  by  other  heavens 

That  shine,  yet  bear  their  bright  officious  lamps, 

Light  above  light,  for  thee  alone,  as  seems,  108 

lu  thee  concentring  all  their  precious  beams 

Of  sacred  influence  !  as  God  in  Heaven 

Is  centre,  yet  extends  to  all,  so  thou 

Centring  rcceiv'st  from  all  those  orbs ;  in  thee. 

Not  in  themselves,  all  their  known  virtue  appears    110 

Productive  in  herb,  plant,  and  nobler  birth 

Of  creatures  animate  with  gradual  life 

Of  growth,  sense,  reason,  all  summed  up  in  ISIan. 

With  what  delight  could  I  l-ave  walked  thee  round, 

If  I  could  joy  in  aught,  sweet  interchange  115 

Of  hill  and  valley,  rivers,  woods,  and  plains. 

Now  land,  now  sea,  and  shores  with  forest  crowned, 

Rocks,  dens,  and  caves  !  but  I  in  none  of  these 

Find  place  or  refuge ;  and  the  more  1  see 

Pleasures  about  me,  so  much  more  I  feel  120 

Torment  within  me,  as  from  the  hateful  siege 

Of  contraries  ;  all  good  to  me  becomes 

Bane,  and  In  Heaven  much  worse  would  be  my  state. 

But  neither  here  seek  T  —  no,  nor  in  Heaven  — 

To  dwell,  unless  by  mastering  Heaven's  Supreme  ; 

Nor  hope  to  be  myself  less  miserable  126 

By  what  I  seek,  but  othei-s  to  make  such 

As  I,  though  thereby  worse  to  me  redound  : 

For  only  in  destroying  I  find  ease 

To  my  relentless  thoughts  ;  and  him  destroyed        ISC 

Or  won  to  what  may  work  his  utter  loss 

For  whom  all  this  was  made,  all  this  will  soon 

Follow,  as  to  him  linked  in  weal  or  woe  ; 

In  woe  then  ;  that  destruction  Avide  may  range. 

lOi.  officious.    See  Yin.  99.  128    iror5e,  vhat  is  worse. 

110.  virtue,   power.      See    Une        130     him,   the  case  absolute 
145  ^  See  VII.  142. 


250  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX. 

To  me  shall  be  the  glory  sole  among  18S 

The  infernal  powers,  in  one  day  to  have  marred 

What  he,  Almighty  styled,  six  nights  and  days 

Continued  making,  and  who  knows  how  long 

Before  had  been  contriving  ?  though  perhaps 

Not  longer  than  since  I  in  one  night  freed  140 

From  servitude  inglorious  well  nigh  half 

The  angelic  name,  and  thinner  left  the  throng 

Of  his  adorers.     He,  to  be  avenged 

And  to  repair  his  numbers  thus  impaired. 

Whether  such  virtue  spent  of  old  now  failed  146 

More  angels  to  create  (if  they  at  least 

Are  his  created)  or  to  spite  us  more. 

Determined  to  advance  into  our  room 

A  creature  formed  of  earth,  and  him  endow, 

Exalted  from  so  base  original,  150 

With  heavenly  spoils,  our  spoils.     What  he  decreed 

He  effected ;  man  he  made,  and  for  him  built 

Magnificent  this  world,  and  earth  his  seat ; 

Him  lord  pronounced,  and,  O  indignity  ! 

Subjected  to  his  service  angel  wings  igj 

And  flaming  ministers,  to  watch  and  tend 

Their  earthly  charge.     Of  these  the  vigilance 

I  dread,  and  to  elude,  thus  wrapped  in  mist 

Of  midnight  vapor  glide  obscure,  and  pry 

In  every  bush  and  brake,  where  hap  may  find  160 

The  serpent  sleeping,  in  whose  mazy  folds 

To  hide  me  and  the  dark  intent  I  bring. 

0  foul  descent !  that  I,  Avho  erst  contended 

With  gods  to  sit  the  highest,  am  now  constrained 

Into  a  beast,  and  mixed  with  bestial  slime,  166 

This  essence  to  incarnate  and  imbrute, 

156.  flamins;  miyiisters.  "  Who  160.  Iiap,  chance, 

uaketh   his   angel-s   spirits  ;    his  163.  erst,  once  ;  formerly, 

ministers  a  llauiiug  fire."   Psalm  166.   This    spiritual    being    t« 

eiv.  4.  clothe  or  hide  in  tiesh,  and  that 

Wl.  charge.   "  He  shall  give  his  the  flesh  of  a  brute, 
angfls  charge  over  thee,  to  keep 
thee  in  all  thy  ways."  Pe.  xci.  11. 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  251 

That  to  the  height  of  deity  aspired  ; 
But  what  will  not  ambition  and  revenge 
Descend  to  ?  who  aspires  must  down  as  low 
As  high  he  soared,  obnoxious  first  or  last  170 

To  basest  things.     Revenge,  at  first  though  sweet, 
Bitter  ere  long  back  on  itself  recoils  :  — 
Let  it ;  I  reck  not,  so  it  light  Avell  aimed 
(Since  higher  I  fall  short)  on  him  who  next 
Provokes  my  envy,  this  new  favorite  175 

Of  Heaven,  this  man  of  clay,  son  of  despite, 
Whom,  us  the  more  to  spite,  his  Maker  raised 
From  dust.      Spite  then  with  spite  is  best  repaid." 

So  saying,  through  each  thicket  dank  or  dry 
Like  a  black  mist  low  creeping,  he  held  on  180 

His  midnight  search,  where  soonest  he  might  find 
The  serpent :  him  fast  sleeping  soon  he  found 
In  labyrinth  of  many  a  round  self-rolled. 
His  head  the  midst,  well  stored  with  subtle  wiles  , 
Not  yet  in  horrid  shade  or  dismal  den,  186 

Nor  nocent  yet,  but  on  the  grassy  herb 
Fearless  unfeared  he  slept :   in  at  his  mouth 
The  Devil  entered,  and  his  brutal  sense 
In  heart  or  head  possessing  soon  inspired 
With  act  intelligential ;  but  his  sleep  190 

Disturbed  not,  waiting  close  the  approach  of  morn. 

Now,  when  as  sacred  light  began  to  dawn 
In  Eden  on  the  humid  tlowei-s  that  breathed 
Their  morning  incense,  when  all  things  that  breathe 
From  the  earth's  great  altar  send  up  silent  j^raise  19C 
To  the  Creator  and  his  nostrils  fill 

169.  ipAo,     he    who.  —  must        186.  nocent,  hurtful ;  the  con- 
down,  must  degrade  hknself  or    trary  of  innocent. 

descend.  192.  ivhfn  as,  when. 

170.  obnoxious,  exposed ;  sub-        193.    breathed,  breathed    out 
ject.  exhaled. 

174.   Since  higher,    since  if   I        1^)6.  and  his  nostrils  fill.  "And 
higher  aim.  the  Lord  smell ed  a  sweet  savor." 

Gen.  viii.  21 


252  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book   IX. 

With  grateful  smell,  forth  came  the  human  pair, 
And  joined  their  vocal  worship  to  the  quire 
Of  creatures  wanting  voice  ;  that  done,  partake 
The  season,  prime  for  sweetest  scents  and  airs  ;        aoC 
Then  commune  how  that  day  they  best  may  ply 
Their  growing  work,  for  much  their  work  outgrew 
The  hands'  despatch  of  two  gardening  so  wide, 
And  Eve  first  to  her  husband  thus  began  : 

"  Adam,  well  may  we  labor  still  to  dress  206 

This  garden,  still  to  tend  plant,  herb,  and  flower, 
Our  pleasant  task  enjoined  ;  but  till  more  hands 
Aid  us,  the  work  under  our  labor  grows. 
Luxurious  by  restraint ;  what  we  by  day 
Lop  overgrown,  or  prune,  or  prop,  or  bind,  210 

One  night  or  two  with  wanton  o-rowth  derides, 
Tending  to  wild.      Thou  therefore  now  advise, 
Or  hear  what  to  my  mind  first  thoughts  present ;  — 
Let  us  divide  our  labors,  thou  where  choice 
Leads  thee,  or  where  most  needs,  whether  to  wind 
The  woodbine  round  this  arbor,  or  direct  216 

The  clasping  ivy  where  to  climb ;  while  I, 
In  yonder  spring  of  roses  intermixed 
With  myrtle,  find  what  to  redress  till  noon  ; 
For  while  so  near  each  other  thus  all  day  220 

Our  task  we  choose,  what  wonder  if  so  near 
Looks  intervene  and  smiles,  or  object  new 
Casual  discourse  draw  on,  which  intermits 
Our  day's  work  brought  to  little,  though  begun 
Early,  and  the  hour  of  supper  comes  unearned/"*      22fi 

To  whom  mild  answer  Adam  thus  returned : 

197.  grateful.    See  VIII.  55.  made  luxuriant  by  our  restraint 

198.  their  vocal  lonrskip.     See  our  effort  to  check  its  growth. 
Ihe  Morning  Hymn,  V.  152-208.  215.  viost  needs,  is  most  need. 

199.  tran^mf,  M'ithout  — par-  218.    spring,  clump    or   smaL 
lake,  partake  of;  enjoy.  thicket. 

200.  prime,  first  and  best.  219.  redress,  set  right. 
209     Luxurious     by    restraint,        22.3.  intermits,  interrupts. 

224.  brought,  thus  brought. 


fiooK  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  253 

**  Sole  Eve,  asso  Jate  sole,  to  me  beyond 

Compare  above  all  living  creatures  dear ! 

Well  hast  thou  motioned,  well  thy  thoughts  employed 

How  we  might  well  fulfil  the  work  which  here        230 

God  hath  assigned  us,  nor  of  me  shalt  pass 

Unpraised ;  for  nothing  lovelier  can  be  found 

In  woman,  than  to  study  household  good 

And  good  works  in  her  husband  to  promote. 

Yet  not  so  strictly  hath  our  Lord  imposed  235 

Labor,  as  to  debar  us  when  we  need 

Refreshment,  whether  food,  or  talk  between, 

Food  of  the  mind,  or  this  sweet  intercourse 

Of  looks  and  smiles ;  for  smiles  from  reason  flow, 

To  brute  denied,  and  are  of  love  the  food,  240 

Love  not  the  lowest  end  of  human  life : 

For  not  to  irksome  toil,  but  to  delight, 

He  made  us,  and  delight  to  reason  joined. 

These  paths  and  bowers  doubt  not  but  our  joint  hands 

Will  keep  from  wilderness  with  ease,  as  wide  245 

As  we  need  walk,  till  younger  hands  ere  long 

Assist  us  :  but  if  much  converse  perhaps 

Thee  satiate,  to  short  absence  I  could  yield  ; 

For  solitude  sometimes  is  best  society^ 

And  short  retirement  urges  sweet  return.  250 

But  other  doubt  possesses  nn  ,  lest  harm 

Befall  thee  severed  from  me  ;  for  thou  know'st 

What  hath  been  warned  us,  jvhat  malicious  foe, 

Envying  our  happiness  and  of  his  own 

Despairing,  seeks  to  work  us  wc*  and  shame  255 

By  sly  assault ;  and  somewhere  nigh  at  hand 

Watches,  no  doubt,  with  greedy  hope  to  find 

THis  wish  and  best  advantage)  us  asunder, 

Hopeless  to  circumvent  us  joined,  where  each 

To  other  speedy  aid  might  lend  at  need  :  aw 

Whether  his  first  design  be  to  withdraw 

228.   Compare,  comparison,  229.  7notioned,  proposed 


254  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

Our  fealty  from  God,  or  to  disturb 

Conjugal  lore,  than  which  perhaps  no  bliss 

Enjoyed  by  us  excites  his  envy  more  ; 

Or  this,  or  worse,  leave  not  the  faithful  side  285 

That  gave  thee  being,  still  shades  thee  and  protects. 

The  wife,  where  danger  or  dishonor  lurks, 

Safest  and  seemliest  by  her  husband  stays, 

Who  guards  her,  or  with  her  the  worst  endures." 

To  whom  the  virgin  majesty  of  Eve,  270 

As  one  who  loves  and  some  unkindness  meets, 
With  sweet  austere  composure  thus  replied : 

"  Offspring  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  and  all  Earth's 

lord! 
That  such  an  enemy  we  have  who  seeks 
Our  ruin,  both  by  thee  informed  I  learn  275 

And  from  the  parting  angel  overheard, 
As  in  a  shady  nook  I  stood  behind, 
Just  then  returned  at  shut  of  evening  flowers. 
But  that  thou  shouldst  my  firmness  therefore  doubt 
To  God  or  thee,  because  we  have  a  foe  280 

May  tempt  it,  I  expected  not  to  hear. 
His  violence  thou  fear'st  not,  being  such 
As  we,  not  capable  of  death  or  pain. 
Can  either  not  receive  or  can  repel. 
His  fraud  is  then  thy  fear,  which  plain  infers  265 

Thy  equal  fear  that  my  firm  faith  and  love 
Can  by  his  fraud  be  shaken  or  seduced  ; 
Thoughts,    which    how    found    they    harbor   in    thy 

breast, 
Adam,  misthought  of  her  to  thee  so  dear  ?  *' 

To  whom  with  healing  words  Adam  replied :      290 

265.  Or  this,  or  worse,  -whether       288.  harbor,  a  resting-place. 
Ibis  or  worse  than   this  be  hia 
design. 


Book  IX-T  FARADFSE  LOST.  255 

'*  DaugUtcr  of  God  and  man,  Immortal  Eve ! 

For  such  thou  art,  from  sin  and  blame  entire  ; 

Not  diffident  of  thee  do  I  dissuade 

Thy  absence  from  my  sight,  but  to  avoid 

The  attempt  itself,  intended  by  our  foe.  295 

For  he  who  tempts,  though  in  vain,  at  least  asperses 

The  tempted  with  dishonor  foul,  supposed 

Not  Incorruptible  of  faith,  not  proof 

Against  temptation  :  thou  thyself  with  scorn 

And  anger  wouldst  resent  the  offered  wrong,  300 

Though  ineffectual  found  ;  misdeem  not  then 

If  such  affront  I  labor  to  avert 

From  thee  alone,  which  on  us  both  at  once 

The  enemy,  though  bold,  will  hardly  dare, 

Or  daring,  first  on  me  the  assault  shall  light.  80ft 

Nor  thou  his  malice  and  false  guile  contemn ; 

Subtle  he  needs  must  be,  who  could  seduce 

Angels ;  nor  think  superfluous  others'  aid. 

I  from  the  Influence  of  thy  looks  receive 

Access  In  every  virtue.  In  thy  sight  310 

More  wise,  more  watchful,  stronger.  If  need  were 

Of  outward  strength  ;  while  shame,  thou  looking  on, 

Shame  to  be  overcome  or  overreached, 

Would  utmost  vigor  raise,  and  raised  unite. 

Why  shouldst  not  thou  like  sense  within  thee  feel   315 

When  I  am  present,  and  thy  trial  choose 

With  me,  best  witness  of  thy  virtue  tried  ?  " 

So  spake  domestic  Adam  in  his  care 
And  matrimonial  love ;  but  Eve,  who  thought 
Less  attributed  to  her  faith  sincere,  saa 

Thus  her  reply  with  accent  sweet  renewed  : 


"  If  this  be  our  condition,  thus  to  dwell 

292.  entire^  wholly  free.  310.  Access,  addition  ;  inc« 

293.  diffident.  See  VIII.  562.  314.  unite,  join  ia  one  the 
296.  a5;>erse5,  stains  ;  tarnishes,  most  vigor  of  all  my  powers. 
a08    otkers',  if  not  other's.  320.  Less,  too  Uttle. 


256  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

In  narrow  circuit  straitened  by  a  foe 

Subtle  or  violent,  we  not  endued 

Single  with  like  defence  wherever  met,  3SI5 

How  are  we  happy,  still  in  fear  of  harm  ? 

But  harm  precedes  not  sin  :  only  our  foe 

Tempting  affronts  us  with  his  foul  esteem 

Of  our  integrity  ;  his  foul  esteem 

Sticks  no  dishonor  on  our  front,  but  turns  830 

Foul  on  himself;  then  wherefore  shunned  or  feared 

By  us  ?  who  rather  double  honor  gain 

From  his  surmise  proved  false,  find  peace  within, 

Favor  from  Heaven,  our  witness  from  the  event. 

And  what  is  faith,  love,  virtue,  unassayed  3S5 

Alone  Avithout  exterior  help  sustained  ? 

Let  us  not  then  suspect  our  happy  state 

Left  so  imperfect  by  the  Maker  wise, 

As  not  secure  to  single  or  combined. 

Frail  is  our  happiness,  if  this  be  so,  84o 

And  Eden  were  no  Eden  thus  exposed." 

To  whom  thus  Adam  fervently  replied  : 
"  O  woman,  best  are  all  things  as  the  will 
Of  God  ordained  them  ;  his  creating  hand 
Nothing  imperfect  or  deficient  left  345 

Of  all  that  he  created,  much  less  man, 
Or  aught  that  might  his  happy  state  secure. 
Secure  from  outward  force ;  within  himself 
The  danger  lies,  yet  lies  within  his  power  ; 
Against  his  will  he  can  receive  no  harm.  35C 

But  God  left  free  the  will,  for  what  obeys 

324,325.  "We,  wherever  we  may  336.  Alone,  when  alone.     The 

be  met,  not  being  endued,  sepa-  meaning  is,  \Vliat  is  faith,  love 

rate  from  each  other,  with  the  virtue,  if  it  has  not  been  put  to 

name  defence  as  if  together.  the    proof  when   by   itself,   an(} 

8S0.  front,  forehead;  brow.  without  the  aid  of  others  ? 

331.  from  the  event,  from  what  339.  As  not  to  be  secure  to  us 

ensues  and  proves  our  fidelity.  both,   whether    separate    or    to 

335.  tinassnyed,   untried;    not  gether. 

put  to  the  proof.  347.   Or  aught,  or  left  aupV 
imperfect. 


BooKlX.l  PARADISE  LOST.  257 

Reason  is  free,  and  reason  he  made  right, 

But  bid  her  well  be  ware  and  still  erect, 

Lest  by  some  fair-appearing  good  surprised 

She  dictate  false,  and  misinform  the  will  866 

To  do  what  God  expressly  hath  forbid 

Not  then  mistrust  but  tender  love  enjoins 

That  I  should  mind  thee  oft,  and  mind  thou  me. 

Firm  we  subsist,  yet  possible  to  swerve, 

Since  reason  not  impossibly  may  meet  360 

Some  specious  object  by  the  foe  suborned. 

And  fall  into  deception  unaware, 

Not  keeping  strictest  Avatch,  as  she  was  warned. 

Seek  not  temptation  then,  Avhich  to  avoid 

Were  better,  and  most  likely  if  from  me  866 

Thou  sever  not :  trial  will  come  unsought. 

Wouldst  thou  approve  thy  constancy,  approve 

First  thy  obedience  ;  the  other  who  can  know, 

Not  seeing  thee  attempted,  who  attest  ? 

But  if  thou  think  trial  unsought  may  find  870 

Us  both  securer  than  thus  warned  thou  seem'st, 

Go ;  for  thy  stay,  not  free,  absents  thee  more ; 

Go  in  thy  native  innocence,  rely 

On  what  thou  hast  of  virtue,  summon  all  ;  374 

For  God  towards  thee  hath  done  his  part,  do  thine.** 

So  spake  the  patriarch  of  mankind  ;  but  Eve 
Persisted  ;  yet  submiss,  though  last,  replied  : 

"  With  thy  permission  then,  and  thus  forewarned, 
Chiefly  by  what  thy  own  last  reasoning  Avords 
Touched  only,  that  our  trial  Avhen  least  sought         380 

353.  ivare,  wary.  —  erect,    up-  868.  the  other,  thj  constsiucy. 

right ;  on  her  guard.  369.    attemptecJ,   tried.  —  ivh-a 

358.     mind,    remind;  put    in  a«f.<;/,  who  can  bear  witness  to  it. 

^nd  371.  securer,  less  distrustful  or 

365.  viost  likely,  which  is  most  watchful  of  ourselves  ;  less  pro- 

likely  to  be  avoided.  •pamd.—thou  seenvst,  thou  seem- 

367    approve,  prove.  est  to  be,  or  to  consider  thyself. 

17 


258  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

May  find  ns  both  perhaps  far  less  prepared, 

The  willinger  I  go,  nor  much  expect 

A  foe  so  proud  will  first  the  weaker  seek ; 

So  bent,  the  more  shall  shame  him  his  repulse.*' 

Thus  saying,  fi-om  her  husband's  hand  her  hand  388 
Soft  she  withdrew,  and  like  a  wood-nymph  light, 
Oread,  or  Dryad,  or  of  Delia's  train. 
Betook  her  to  the  groves  ;  but  Delia's  self 
In  gait  surpassed,  and  goddess-like  deport. 
Though  not  as  she  with  bow  and  quiver  armed,       390 
But  with  such  gardening  tools  as  art  yet  rude, 
Guiltless  of  fire,  had  formed,  or  angels  brought. 
To  Pales  or  Pomona,  thus  adorned 
Likest  she  seemed,  Pomona  when  she  fled 
Vertumnus,  or  to  Ceres  in  her  prime,  395 

ret  virgin  of  Proserpina  from  Jove. 
Her  long  with  ardent  look  his  eye  pursued 
Delighted,  but  desiring  more  her  stay. 
Oft  he  to  her  his  charge  of  quick  return 
Repeated ;  she  to  him  as  oft  engaged  4C0 

To  be  returned  by  noon  amid  the  bower, 
And  all  things  in  best  order  to  invite 
Noontide  repast  or  afternoon's  repose. 
O  much  deceived,  much  failing,  hapless  Eve, 
Of  thy  presumed  return  !  event  perverse  !  405 

384.  So  bent,  if  so  bent ;  if  he    the  aid  of  fire.     The  ancients  fa- 
is  so  inclined.  bled   that  fire  was    stolen  from 

387.  Oread ^   or   Dryad.     The    heaven. 

Oreads    were     nymphs     of    the  893.  Pales    was  a  rural  divin- 

mountains,   and    the  Dryads  of  ity  among  the  Romans.    Pomona 

the  trees.  (see  V.  378)  was  beloved  by  Yer- 

388.  Delia's  self.      Diana  was  «!W7w?/5.  the  god  of  fruit, 
sometimes  called  Delia,  from  De-  393-395.    Thus    adorned,     sh* 
los,  the  place  of  her  birth.     She  seemed  likest  to  Pales  or  Pomona 
was  the  goddess  of  the  chase,  and  to  Pomona,  when  she  fled  Ver 
Is  represented  among  her  attend-  tuninus. 

ant  nymphs  as  of  lofty  stature        395.    Ceres.     See  IV.  271. 
and  noble  mien,  witk  'boiv   and        396.  Before  she  had  become  bj 

quiver  armed.  Jupiter  the  mother  of  Proserpine 

389.  deport.,  port  ;  bearing.  402.  And^  and  to  have. 
892.   G-uiltless  of  fire,  without        405.  presumed,  anticipated 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  2h^ 

Tliou  never  from  tliat  hour  In  Paradise 

Found'st  either  s\\'eet  repast  or  sound  repose  ; 

Such  ambush  liid  among  sweet  flowers  and  shades 

Waited  with  hellish  rancor  imminent 

To  Intercept  thy  way,  or  send  thee  back  410 

Despoiled  of  Innocence,  of  faith,  of  bliss. 

For  now,  and  since  first  break  of  dawn,  the  Fiend, 

Mere  serpent  In  appearance,  forth  was  come, 

And  on  his  quest  where  likeliest  he  might  find 

The  only  two  of  mankind,  but  in  them  415 

The  whole  Included  race,  his  purposed  prey. 

In  bower  and  field  he  sought,  where  any  tuft 

Of  grove  or  garden-plot  more  pleasant  lay, 

Their  tendance  or  plantation  for  delight ; 

By  fountain  or  by  shady  rivulet  420 

He  sought  them  both,  but  wished  his  hap  might  find 

Eve  separate ;  he  wished,  but  not  with  hope 

Of  what  so  seldom  chanced,  when  to  his  wish. 

Beyond  his  hope.  Eve  separate  he  spies, 

Veiled  in  a  cloud  of  fragrance,  where  she  stood,      425 

Half  spied,  so  thick  the  roses  bushing  round 

About  her  glowed,  oft  stooping  to  support 

Each  flower  of  slender  stalk,  whose  head,  though  gay 

Carnation,  purple,  azure,  or  specked  Avith  gold, 

Hung  drooping  unsustained  ;  them  she  upstays        400 

Gently  with  myrtle  band,  mindless  the  while 

Herself,  though  fairest  unsupported  flower, 

From  her  best  prop  so  far,  and  storms  so  nigh. 

Nearer  he  drew,  and  many  a  walk  traversed 

Of  stateliest  covert,  cedar,  pine,  or  palm  ;  435 

Then  voluble  and  bold,  now  hid,  now  seen, 

imong  thick-woven  arborets  and  flowers 

409.  i m ?ninpnt,  close  &thn.rx6..  432.  though  fairest.      See  IV. 

419.  Their  ten(/nnce,  thtiirvrcvk,  270. 

to  be  tended  oy  them.  436.  vohihlf^  moving  in  serpeDt 

431.    7nindless,   not    minding;  fold?: ;  rolling  on. 

forgetful  (if.  —  the  while,  whUo  437.  arborets^  shrubs  or  small 

6he  was  thus  occupied.  trees. 


160  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  LX. 

Imbordered  on  each  bank,  the  hand  of  Eve : 

Spot  more  delicious  than  those  gardens  feigned 

Or  of  revived  Adonis,  or  renowned  ifA 

Alcinous,  host  of  old  Laertes'  son, 

Or  that,  not  mystic,  Avhere  the  sapi»^nt  king 

Held  dalliance  with  his  fair  Egyptian  spouse. 

Much  he  the  place  admired,  the  person  more : 

As  one  who  long  in  populous  city  pent  445 

Where  houses  thick  and  sewers  annoy  the  air, 

Forth  issuing  on  a  summer's  morn  to  breathe 

Among  the  pleasant  villages  and  farms 

Adjoined,  from  each  thing  met  conceives  delight, 

The  smell  of  grain,  or  tedded  grass,  or  kine,  460 

Or  dairy,  each  rural  sight,  each  rural  sound  ; 

If  chance  with  nymph-like  step  fair  virgin  pass. 

What  pleasing  seemed  for  her  now  pleases  more, 

She  most,  and  in  her  look  sums  all  delight :  — 

Such  pleasure  took  the  serpent  to  behold  466 

This  flowery  plat,  the  sweet  recess  of  Eve 

Thus  early,  thus  alone.     Her  heavenly  form 

Angelic,  but  more  soft  and  feminine. 

Her  graceful  innocence,  her  every  air 

Of  gesture,  or  least  action,  overawed  460 

His  malice,  and  with  rapine  sweet  bereaved 

His  fierceness  of  the  fierce  intent  it  brought. 

That  space  the  evil  one  abstracted  stood 

From  his  own  evil,  and  for  the  time  remained 

Stupidly  good,  of  enmity  disarmed,  466 

Of  guile,  of  hate,  of  envy,  of  revenge  ; 

438.  handi  handiwork.  446.  annoy,  make  roxious  ;  In- 

440.  Or.   whether.   —  revived    feet. 

Adonis.    See  I.  446-452.  450.  tedded,  shaken  out  to  drj 

441.  Alcinous.    See  V.  341.  —    after  having  been  mowed. 

old  Laertes''  son.,  Ulysses.  452.  nymph-like.    See  line  386. 

442.  not  miislic,  not  taken  as        454.  sums^  siuns  up  ;  completes 
mystic  or  allegorical,  although  de-    the  sum  of. 

icribed  in  the  Song  of  Solomon.  461.  rapine    sweet,  sweet  via- 

—  the  sapient  king,  Solomon.  lence. 

443.  Egyptian  spouse.     Set  1  463.  That  space,  for  that  Bpao« 
Sings  Til.  8.  of  time. 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST. 

But  the  hot  hell  that  always  In  him  burns, 
Though  in  mid  Heaven,  soon  ended  his  delight, 
And  tortures  him  now  more,  the  more  he  sees 
Of  pleasure  not  for  him  ordained :  then  soon 
Fierce  hate  he  recollects,  and  all  his  thoughts 
Of  mischief,  gratulating,  thus  excites  : 


470 


"  Thoughts,  whither  have  ye  led  me  ?  with  what 
sweet 
Compulsion  thus  transported  to  forget 
What  hither  brought  us  ?  hate,  not  love,  nor  hope 
Of  Paradise  for  Hell,  hope  here  to  taste  476 

Of  pleasure,  but  all  pleasure  to  destroy, 
Save  what  is  in  destroying  ;  other  joy 
To  me  is  lost.     Then  let  me  not  let  pass 
Occasion  which  now  smiles  ;  behold  alone  48O 

The  woman,  opportune  to  all  attempts, 
Her  husband  (for  I  view  far  round)  not  nigh, 
Whose  higher  Intellectual  more  I  shun. 
And  strength,  of  courage  haughty,  and  of  limb 
Heroic  built,  though  of  terrestrial  mould,  486 

Foe  not  Informidable,  exempt  from  wound, 
I  not ;  so  much  hath  Hell  debased  and  pain 
Enfeebled  me,  to  what  I  was  In  Heaven. 
She  fair,  divinely  fair,  fit  love  for  gods, 
Not  terrible,  though  terror  be  In  love  490 

And  beauty  not  approached  by  stronger  hate, 
Hate  stronger  under  show  of  love  well  feigned, 
The  way  which  to  her  ruin  now  I  tend." 

So  spake  the  enemy  of  mankind,  enclosed 
In  serpent,  inmate  bad,  and  toward  Eve  495 

467 .  See  IV.  75.  484.    haughty^  better   perhaps 

471.  recollfcts.     See  I.  528.  without  the  comma. 

472.  gratulating,  rejoii-ing.  4S7.  not,  not  exempt. 
479,  480.  let  pass  occasion,  lose  4S8.  to,  compared  with. 

ttie  opportunity.  491.  7tnt,  if  not. 

483    intellectual,  Intellect.  493    which,  on    or  by   which 

—  itnri,  movA 


262  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

Addressed  his  way,  not  with  indented  wave, 

Prone  on  tlie  ground,  as  since,  but  on  bis  rear, 

Circular  base  of  rising  folds  that  towered, 

Fold  above  fold,  a  surging  maze,  his  head 

Crested  aloft,  and  carbuncle  his  eyes,  60(1 

With  burnished  neck  of  verdant  gold,  erect 

Amidst  his  circling  spires,  that  on  the  grass 

Floated  redundant :  pleasing  Avas  his  shape 

And  lovely,  never  since  of  serpent  kind 

Lovelier  ;  not  those  that  in  Illyria  changed  605 

Hermione  and  Cadmus,  or  the  god 

In  Epidaurus ;  nor  to  which  transformed 

Ammonian  Jove,  or  Capitoline,  was  seen. 

He  with  Olympias,  this  with  her  who  bore 

Scipio,  the  height  of  Rome.      With  tract  oblique    610 

At  first,  as  one  who  sought  access  but  feared 

To  interrupt,  sidelong  he  works  his  way. 

As  when  a  ship  by  skilful  steersman  wrought. 

Nigh  river's  mouth  or  foreland  where  the  wind 

Veers  oft,  as  oft  so  steers,  and  shifts  her  sail  ;  515 

So  varied  he,  and  of  his  tortuous  train 

496.  indented,,  in  and  out,  like  piter  Ammon,  was  worshipped  at 

the  teeth  of  a  saw.  Ammonium,  an  oasis  in  the  Ll- 

499.  surging,,  rising;   rising  in  byan  desert. —  Capitoline,  im^X' 

wayes.  ter  CapitoUuus,    the  Jupiter  of 

505.  those  that  in  Blyrla  chang-  the  Capitol  at  Rome. 

e<i,  that  is,   changed  into  them-         509.  He,   Ammonian    .Tore,  — 

selves.  with,  together  with.  —  Oti/mpiai 

506,  7.  Hermione.  Ilarmonia  was  the  mother  of  Alexander  the 
(not  Hermione.)  was  the  wife  of  Great,  who,  when  he  visited  the 
Cadmus,  the  founder  of  Tliebes.  temple  of  .lupiter  Ammon,  was 
They  went  to  Illyria,  a  country  saluted  by  the  priests  as  the  son 
to  the  northwest  of  Greece,  where  of  the  god.  —  this,  the  Capitoliae 
they  were  said  to  have  been  final-  Jove,  who  was  fabled  to  be  the 
ly  changed  into  serpents.  —  the  father  of  Publius  Cornelius  ScZ/jjo 
god.  Jisculapius,  the  god  of  suruauied  Africanus.  He  was 
ii"«dicine,  who  frequently  ap-  the  conqueror  of  Hannibal,  and 
peared  in  the  form  of  a  serpent,  one  of  the  greatest  men,  the 
was  worshipped  in  Ejudaiinis,  in  height,  of  Rome. 

the  southeastern  part   of  Greece,        510.  tract  oblique,,  course  indi- 

where  the  ruins  of  his  temple  are  rect. 
still  to  be  seen.  —  to  ivhich,  that        511.  access,  approach. 
to  which.  514.  foreland^   jutting    ca|« 

608.  Ammonian  Jove,  or  Ju-  headland. 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  268 

Culled  many  a  wanton  wreath  in  sight  of  Eve, 

To  lure  her  eye  :  she  busied  heard  the  sound 

Of  rustling  leaves,  but  minded  not,  as  used 

To  such  disport  before  her  through  the  field  520 

From  every  beast,  more  duteous  at  her  call 

Than  at  Circean  call  the  herd  disguised. 

He  bolder  now  uncalled  before  her  stood, 

But  as  in  gaze  admiring  :  oft  he  bowed 

His  turret  crest  and  sleek  enamelled  neck,  525 

Fawning,  and  licked  the  ground  whereon  she  trod. 

His  gentle  dumb  expression  turned  at  length 

The  eye  of  Eve  to  mark  his  play  ;  he,  glad 

Of  her  attention  gained,  with  serpent  tongue 

Organic  or  impulse  of  vocal  air  630 

His  fraudulent  temptation  thus  began 

"  Wonder  not,  sovran  mistress,  If  perhaps 
Thou  canst,  who  art  sole  wonder  ;  much  less  arm 
Thy  looks,  the  heaven  of  mildness,  with  disdain, 
Displeased  that  I  approach  thee  thus  and  gaze        535 
Insatiate,  I  thus  single,  nor  have  feared 
Thy  awful  brow,  more  awful  thus  retired. 
Fairest  resemblance  of  thy  Maker  flilr. 
Thee  all  things  living  gaze  on,  all  things  thine 
By  gift,  and  thy  celestial  beauty  adore  541 

With  ravishment  beheld,  there  best  beheld 
Where  universally  admired  :  but  here 
In  this  enclosure  wild,  these  beasts  among 
(Beholders  rude,  and  shallow  to  discern 
Half  what  in  thee  is  flilr),  one  man  except  545 

622.  at  Circean  call,  at  the  call  530.   Organic,  used  as  the  or- 

of  Circe.     Circe  was  a   sorceress  gan  of    speech.  — or   impulse   of 

on  whose    island    some    of    tht  vocal  air,   or  causing  the  sounds 

eonipanions    of  Ulysses   landed,  by  impressions  on  the  air. 

By  her  arts   thev  were  changed  537.  retired .  withdrawn;  alone 

into  swine,  die  he'rd  i/issniseJ.  542.   Where,  where  it  might  be 

."S'io.    tioret    turret-like      tcv- 
JxinK 


264  PARADISE   LOST.  [Book  IX. 

Who  sees  tliee  (and  what  is  one  ?),  who  sliouldst  be 

seen 
A  goddess  among  gods,  adored  and  served 
By  angels  numberless,  thy  daily  train." 

So  glozed  the  Tempter,  and  his  proem  tuned  : 
Into  the  heart  of  Eve  his  words  made  way,  55c 

Though  at  the  voice  much  marvelling :  at  length 
Not  uuamazed  she  thus  in  answer  spake  : 

"  What    may  this  mean  ?    language  of  man  pro- 
nounced 
^^Y  tongue  of  brute,  and  human  sense  expressed ! 
The  first  at  least  of  these  I  thought  denied  655 

To  beasts,  whom  God  on  their  creation-day 
Created  mute  to  all  articulate  sound ; 
The  latter  I  demur,  for  in  their  looks 
Much  reason,  and  in  their  actions,  oft  appears. 
Thee,  serpent,  subtlest  beast  of  all  the  field  stjo 

I  knew,  but  not  with  human  voice  endued. 
Redouble  then  this  miracle,  and  say 
How  cam'st  thou  speakable  of  mute,  and  how 
To  me  so  friendly  grown  above  the  rest 
Of  brutal  kind  that  daily  are  in  sight ;  665 

Say,  for  such  wonder  claims  attention  due." 

To  whom  the  guileful  Tempter  thus  replied : 
•'  Empress  of  this  fair  world,  resplendent  Eve  I 
Eaosy  to  me  it  is  to  tell  thee  all 

What  thou   command'st,  and  right  thou  shouldiat  be 
obeyed.  670 

I  was  at  first,  as  other  beasts  that  graze 

549.    glozed,    spoke    fair   and  sem^t-  has  been  denied  to  beasts 

false. —;;roe?n,    preface;    intro-  I  doubt, 
iuction.  561    /  knew.  I  knew  to  b«i. 

558.    The  latter  I  demur,  of  the        563.  sp'^akable  ot  j^-iuie.  able  to 

latter  (that  is,  whether  human  speak,  having  been   dumb. 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  265 

The  trodden  herb,  of  abject  thoughts  and  low, 

As  was  my  food  ;  nor  aught  but  food  discerned 

Or  sex,  and  apprehended  nothing  high  : 

Till  on  a  day  roving  the  field  I  chanced  678 

A  goodly  tree  far  distant  to  behold, 

Loaden  with  fruit  of  fairest  colors  mixed, 

iluddy  and  gold.     I  nearer  drew  to  gaze  ; 

When  from  the  boughs  a  savory  odor  blown, 

Grateful  to  appetite,  more  pleased  my  sense  680 

Than  smell  of  sweetest  fennel,  or  the  teats 

Of  ewe  or  goat  dropping  with  milk  at  even, 

Unsucked  of  lamb  or  kid  that  tend  their  play. 

To  satisfy  the  sharp  desire  I  had 

Of  tasting  those  fair  apples  I  resolved  686 

Not  to  defer  ;  hunger  and  thirst  at  once, 

Powerful  persuaders,  quickened  at  the  scent 

Of  that  alluring  fruit,  urged  me  so  keen. 

About  the  mossy  trunk  I  Avound  me  soon, 

For  high  from  ground  the  branches  would  require   690 

Thy  utmost  reach  or  Adam's :  round  the  tree 

All  other  beasts  that  saw,  with  like  desire 

Longing  and  envying  stood,  but  could  not  reach. 

Amid  the  tree  now  got,  where  plenty  hung 

Tempting  so  nigh,  to  pluck  and  eat  my  fill  585 

I  spared  not,  for  such  pleasure  till  that  hour 

At  feed  or  fountain  never  had  I  found. 

Sated  at  length,  ere  long  I  might  perceive 

Strange  alteration  In  me  to  degree 

Of  reason  In  my  Inward  powers,  and  speech  600 

Wanted  not  long,  though  to  this  shape  retained. 

Thenceforth  to  speculations  high  or  deep 

\  turned  my  thoughts,  and  with  capacious  mind 

Considered  all  things  visible  In  heaven. 


580.    Grateful.    See  line  197.  599.  to  des:ree,  even  to  the  de- 

683.  tend,  attend  to  gree  or  heislit. 

601.  thoiish,  though  I  waa. 


866  PARADISE  LDST.  [Book  EL 

Or  earth,  or  middle,  all  things  fan'  and  good :  dOB 

But  all  that  fair  and  good  in  thy  divine 
Semblance  and  in  thy  beauty's  heavenly  ray 
United  I  beheld  ;  no  fair  to  thine 
Equivalent  or  second,  which  compelled 
Me  thus,  though  importune  perhaps,  to  come  610 

And  gaze,  and  worshij)  thee  of  right  declared 
Sovran  of  creatures,  universal  dame." 

So  talked  the  spirited  sly  snake  ;  and  Eve, 
Yet  more  amazed,  unwary  thus  replied  : 
"  Serj)ent,  thy  overpraising  leaves  in  doubt  616 

The  virtue  of  that  fruit,  in  thee  first  j)roved  : 
But  say,  where  grows  the  tree,  from  hence  how  far  ? 
For  many  are  .the  trees  of  God  that  grow 
In  Paradise  and  various,  yet  unknown 
To  us ;  in  such  abundance  lies  our  choice  620 

As  leaves  a  greater  store  of  fruit  untouched, 
Still  hanging  incorruptible,  till  men 
Grow  up  to  their  provision,  and  more  hands 
Help  to  disburden  Nature  of  her  birth." 

To  whom  the  wily  adder,  blithe  and  glad :  625 

"  Empress,  the  way  is  ready  and  not  long  ; 
Beyond  a  row  of  myrtles,  on  a  flat 
Fast  by  a  fountain,  one  small  thicket  past 
Of  blowing  myrrh  and  balm  :  if  thou  accept 
My  conduct,  I  can  bring  thee  thither  soon."  630 

"  Lead  then,"  said  Eve-     He  leading  swiftly  rolled 
In  tanf2;les,  and  made  intricate  seem  straight. 


606.  middle^    between    heaven  613.   spirited,   possessed    by  a 

fcud  earth.  spirit. 

610.  importune^  troublesome.  623.    their   provision^  what   is 

612.  dame,  or  mistress.     This  provided  for  them, 

rord    was    formerly  a    title    of  628.  Fast  by.     See  I.  12 

honor  630.  conduct,  guidance 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  267 

To  mischief  swift  :  hope  elevates  and  joy 
Brightens  his  crest.      As  when  a  wandering  fire, 
Compact  of  unctuous  vapor,  which  the  night  631 

Condenses  and  the  cold  environs  round, 
Kindled  through  agitation  to  a  flame 
(Which  oft,  they  say,  some  evil  spirit  attends) 
Hovering  and  blazing  with  delusive  light, 
Misleads°the  amazed  night-wanderer  from  his  way  640 
To  bogs  and  mires  and  oft  through  pond  or  pool, 
There  swallowed  up  and  lost,  from  succor  far  ; 
So  glistered  the  dire  snake,  and  into  fraud 
Led  Eve,  our  credulous  mother,  to  the  tree 
Of  prohibition,  root  of  all  our  woe  ;  645 

Which  when  she  saw,  thus  to  her  guide  sho  spake  : 

"  Serpent,  we  might  have  spared  our  coming  hither, 
Fruitless  to  me,  though  fruit  be  here  to  excess, 
The  credit  of  whose  virtue  rest  with  thee  ; 
Wondrous  indeed,  if  cause  of  such  effects.  650 

But  of  this  tree  we  may  not  taste  nor  touch  ; 
God  so  commanded,  and  left  that  command 
Sole  daughter  of  his  voice  ;  the  rest,  we  live 
Law  to  ourselves,  our  reason  is  our  law.'* 

To  Avhom  the  Tempter  guilefully  replied  :   ^         656 
"  Indeed  !  hath  God  then  said  that  of  the  fruit 
Of  all  these  garden  trees  ye  shall  not  eat, 
Yet  lords  declared  of  all  in  earth  or  air  ?  " 

6M.  a  wnn<1erirm  fire,  the  will  649.  Let  belief  in  its  virtue  rest 

o'  the  wisp  or  ignis  fatuus.  on  thy  authority. 

635.  compact,      compacted;  650.   (/^m«s.,  if  itbe  thecaii»e. 
formed  653.   Sole  daughter  of  Im  voice, 

636.  environs  round,  surrounds      his  only  word.  -  the  rest,  with  r& 
638.  attnids,  tends.  gard  to  the  rest. 

642.  swallowed,  to  be  swallow-        654.  Law,  as  law. 

g^  '  658.  See  Genesis  in.  1. 

643.  fraiid,  probably  hurt  or        65'\    YH    Icds     declared,    al 
damage,  as  in  Latin .  though  declared  to  be  lords. 

644.  the  tree  of  prohibition,  the 
forbidden  tree.     See  I.  1. 


268  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

To  whom  tluifi  Eve,  yet  sinless :  "  Of  the  fruit 
Of  each  tree  in  the  garden  we  may  eat  ;  660 

But  of  the  fruit  of  this  fair  tree  amidst 
The  garden,  God  hath  said,  '  Ye  shall  not  eat 
Diereof,  nor  shall  ye  touch  it,  lest  ye  die.'  " 

She  scarce  had  said,  though  brief,  when  now  more 
bold 
The  Tempter,  but  with  show  of  zeal  and  love  666 

To  man  and  indignation  at  his  wrong, 
New  part  puts  on,  and  as  to  passion  moved 
Fluctuates  disturbed,  yet  comely,  and  in  act 
Raised,  as  of  some  great  matter  to  begin. 
As  when  of  old  some  orator  renowned,  670 

In  Athens  or  free  Rome,  where  eloquence 
Flourished  since  mute,  to  some  great  cause  addressed, 
Stood  in  himself  collected,  while  each  part, 
Motion,  each  act,  won  audience  ere  the  tongue ; 
Sometimes  in  height  began,  as  no  delay  b7f 

Or  preface  brooking  through  his  zeal  of  right: 
So  standing,  moving,  or  to  height  up-grown, 
The  Tempter,  all  impassioned,  thus  began  : 

"  O  sacred,  wise,  and  wisdom-giving  plant, 
Mother  of  science  !  now  I  feel  thy  power  ggo 

Within  me  clear,  not  only  to  discern 
Things  in  their  causes,  but  to  trace  the  ways 
Of  highest  agents,  deemed  however  wise. 
Queen  of  this  universe,  do  not  believe 
Those  rigid  threats  of  death  ;  ye  shall  not  die :        68o 
How  should  ye  V  by  the  fruit  ?  it  gives  you  life 

669.  See  Genesis  iii.  2, 3.  675.  in  height,  at  the  height  of 

667.  New  part  puts  on,  plays  or  his  subject.  —  as,  as  if. 
assumes  a  new  part.  —  as,  as  if.  676.  of,   for. 

668.  Fluctuates,  moves  to  and        680.  science,  knowledge. 

fro.  — in  act  raised  as,  raised  as        683.  deevied  however  wise,  how 

If  in  the  act  or  on  the  point  of  ever  wise  they  mav  be  deemed, 
beginning.  685.    Ye    shall    'not    die.      Uee 

674.    audience,    readiness     to  Genesis  iii  4 
'aear. 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  269 

To  knowledge  ;  by  the  threatener  ?  look  on  me, 

Me  who  have  touched  and  tasted,  yet  both  live, 

And  life  more  perfect  have  attained  than  fate 

Meant  me,  by  venturing  higher  than  my  lot.  380 

Shall  that  be  shut  to  man,  which  to  the  beast 

Is  open  ?  or  will  God  incense  his  ire 

For  such  a  petty  trespass,  and  not  praise 

Rather  your  dauntless  virtue,  Avhom  the  pain 

Of  death  denounced  (whatever  thing  death  be)        39fi 

Deterred  not  from  achieving  what  might  lead 

To  happier  life,  knowledge  of  good  and  evil  ? 

Of  good,  how  just  ?  of  evil  (if  what  is  evil 

Be  real),  Avhy  not  known,  since  easier  shunned  ^ 

God  therefore  cannot  hurt  ye,  and  be  just ;  700 

Not  just,  not  God  ;  not  feared  then,  nor  obeyed  : 

Your  fear  itself  of  death  removes  the  fear. 

Why  then  Avas  this  forbid  ?      Why  but  to  awe  ; 

Why  but  to  keep  ye  low  and  ignorant. 

His  worshippers  ?     He  knows  that  in  the  day  705 

Ye  eat  thereof  your  eyes,  that  seem  so  clear 

Yet  are  but  dim,  shall  perfectly  be  then 

Opened  and  cleared,  and  ye  shall  be  as  gods, 

Knowing  both  good  and  evil  as  they  know. 

That  ye  shall  be  as  gods,  since  I  as  man,  710 

Internal  man,  is  but  proportion  meet ; 

I,  of  brute,  human  ;  ye,  of  human,  gods. 

So  ye  shall  die  perhaps,  by  putting  off 

Human,  to  put  on  gods  ;  death  to  be  wished, 

692.  j«ff?K<;p,  kindle;  set  on  fire,  thereof,  then  your  eyes  shall  b« 

695.  )'/^«o««ce(^,  threatened.  opened;  and  ye  shall  he  as  gods, 

698.  Of  good,  hoiv  just,  if  it  be  knownig  good  and  evil."  Genesit 
knowledge  of  good,  how  can  tliis  iii.  5. 

prohibition  be  just?  —  0/  evil,  if        710.   Since  J,  since  I  am. 
knowledge  of  evil.  711.  Internal    man,  inwardly, 

699.  u'hi/     not     knoivn,     why     or  iji  mind,  human. 

should  it  not  be  known.  712.   jf  brute,  from  brute  mad« 

701.  not  just,   if   not   just. —    human. 

not  feared,  not  to  be  feared.  713.   So,  thus. 

702.  the  fear,  the  fear  of  him.  714.  U'isiied,    desired  ;    wished 
708.  as  gods.     "  For  God  doth    for. 

know  that    in    the  day  ye  eat 


270  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

riiougli  threatened,  whicli  no  worse  than    this   can 

bring. 
And  what  are  gods  that  man  may  net  become 
As  they,  participating  godlike  food  ? 
The  gods  are  first,  and  that  advantage  use 
On  our  belief,  that  all  from  them  proceeds. 
I  question  it ;  for  this  fair  earth  I  see,  72C 

Warmed  by  the  sun,  producing  every  kind, 
Them  nothing  :  if  they  all  things,  who  enclosed 
Knowledge  of  good  and  evil  in  this  tree. 
That  whoso  eats  thereof  forthwith  attains 
Wisdom  Avithout  their  leave  ?  and  wherein  lies        726 
The  offence,  that  Man  should  thus  attain  to  know  ? 
What  can  your  knowledge  hurt  him,  or  this  tree 
Impart  against  his  will,  if  all  be  his  ? 
Or  is  it  envy  ?  and  can  envy  dwell 
In  heavenly  breasts  ?     These,  these,  and  many  more 
Causes  import  your  need  of  this  fiiir  fruit.  731 

Goddess  humane,  reach  then,  and  freely  taste." 

He  ended,  and  his  words  replete  with  guile 
Into  her  heart  too  easy  entrance  won. 
Fixed  on  the  fruit  she  gazed,  which  to  behold  736 

Might  tempt  alone,  and  in  her  ears  the  sound 
Yet  rung  of  his  persuasive  words,  impregned 
With  reason,  to  her  seeming,  and  with  truth. 
Meanwhile  the  hour  of  noon  drew  on,  and  waked 
An  eager  appetite,  raised  by  the  smell  74ff 

So  savory  of  that  fruit,  which  with  desire, 
Inclinable  now  grown  to  touch  or  taste, 

718.  that  advantage  use  on  our  732.  humane^  human,  from  tho 

belief,   take    advantage  of    that  Latin  "  humanus." 

(that  is,  of  their  being  first  in  735.  which  to  behold  alone,  only 

order  of  time)  to  make  us  believe,  the  sight  of  which. 

722.   Them  nothing,!  see  them  737.    ('m/vreg-rte^/,  impregnated 

producing  nothing.  — if  they,  if  filled, 

they  produce.  733.  to  her  seeming,  as  it  seem< 

727.  him.    See  Una  700.  ed  to  her. 

"^31    import,  imply.  742.  Inclinable,  inclined  or  ln« 
dining. 


Book  IX. )  PARADISE  LOST.  271 

Solicited  her  longing  eye  ;  yet  first 

Pausing  awhile  thus  to  herself  she  mused  :  744 

"  Great  are  thy  virtues,  doubtless,  best  of  fruits, 
Though  kept  from  man,  and  worthy  to  be  admired, 
Whose  taste,  too  long  forborne,  at  first  assay 
Gave  elocution  to  the  mute,  and  taught 
The  tongue  not  made  for  speech  to  speak  thy  praise  : 
Thy  praise  he  also  who  forbids  thy  use  760 

Conceals  not  from  us,  naming  thee  the  Tree 
Of  Knowledge,  knowledge  both  of  good  and  evil ; 
Forbids  us  then  to  taste,  but  his  forbidding 
Commends  thee  more,  while  it  infers  the  good 
By  thee  communicated,  and  our  want :  766 

For  good  unknown  sure  is  not  had,  or  had 
And  yet  unknown  is  as  not  had  at  all. 
In  plain  then,  what  forbids  he  but  to  know, 
Forbids  us  good,  forbids  us  to  be  wise  ? 
Such  prohibitions  bind  not.      But  if  death  760 

Bind  us  with  after-bands,  what  profits  then 
Our  inward  freedom  ?    In  the  day  we  eat 
Of  this  fair  fruit,  our  doom  is,  we  shall  die. 
How  dies  the  serpent  ?  he  hath  eaten  and  lives, 
And  knows,  and  speaks,  and  reasons,  and  discerns, 
Irrational  till  then.      For  us  alone  ^ee 

Was  death  invented  ?    or  to  us  denied 
This  intellectual  food,  for  beasts  reserved  ? 
For  beasts  it  seems  :  yet  that  one  beast  which  first 
Hath  tasted  envies  not,  but  brings  with  joy  7rc 

The  good  befallen  him,  author  unsuspect, 
Friendly  to  man,  far  from  deceit  or  guile. 


747.  assay,  trial.  758.  In  plain,  to  speak  plainly 

748.  e^o^K^/o?!,  power  of  speech  — ^o  fcno?t',  knowledge. 

"^51.  naming  thee.    See  Genesis  761.  with    nftpr-hmids,    after 

li.  17.  wards  with  his  bauds. 

755.  our  want,  our  need  of  it.  772    author  unsuspfct,  author 

757.  is  05,  is  as  if  it  were.  \ty  or  voucher  above  suspicion. 


272  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  DC 

What  fear  I  then  ?  rather,  what  know  to  fear 

Under  this  ignorance  of  good  and  evil,  7?l 

Of  God  or  death,  of  law  or  penalty  ? 

Here  grows  the  cure  of  all,  this  fruit  divine. 

Fair  to  the  eye,  inviting  to  the  taste. 

Of  virtue  to  make  wise  :   what  hinders  then 

To  reach,  and  feed  at  once  both  body  and  mind  ?  " 

So  saying,  her  rash  hand  in  evil  hour  780 

Forth  reaching  to  the  fruit,  she  plucked,  she  eat : 
Earth  felt  the  wound,  and  Nature  from  her  seat, 
Sighing  through  all  her  works,  gave  signs  of  woe 
That  all  was  lost.      Back  to  the  thicket  slunk 
The  guilty  serpent,  and  well  might ;  for  Eve,  785 

Intent  now  wholly  on  her  taste,  nought  else 
Regarded  ;  such  delight  till  then,  as  seemed, 
In  fruit  she  never  tasted,  whether  true  - 
Or  fancied  so  through  expectation  high 
Of  knowledge  ;  nor  was  godhead  from  her  thought. 
Greedily  she  ingorged  without  restraint,  791 

And  knew  not  eating  death.  Satiate  at  length, 
And  heightened  as  with  wine,  jocund  and  boon. 
Thus  to  herself  she  pleasingly  began  : 

"  O  sovran,  virtuous,  precious  of  all  trees  796 

In  Paradise  !  of  operation  blest 
To  sapience,  hitherto  obscured,  infamed, 

774.    ivhat  knoiv,   what  do  I  790.  nor    urns    godhead   from 

know.  her  i/io;/g-/i;,  she  remembered  that 

778.    Of  virtue.,  able.  the  serpent  had   declared,  "  Y« 

781.  "And  when  the  woman  saw  shall  be  as  gods." 

that  the  tree  was  good  for  food,  791.  ingorged.,  devoured  ;  swal- 

and   that  it  was  pleasant  to  the  lowed  with  eagerness, 

eyes,  and  a  tree  to  be  desired  to  792.    knew    not    eating.,    knew 

make  one  wise,  she  took  of  the  not  that  she  was  eating. 

fruit  thereof,  and  did  eat."   Gen-  793.  boon.,  merry  ;   gay. 

esis  iii.  6.  794.  pleasingly,  complacently. 

787.  as  seemed,  as  it  seemed  to  798.  operation,  working. 

nor.  797.    To  sapience,   to  product 

788.  lohether  true,  whether  the    wisdom. —  infamed^  slandered, 
delight  was  real. 


Book  IX.  1  PARADISE  LOST.  273 

And  thy  fair  fruit  let  liang,  as  to  no  end 

Created  ;  C)ut  henceforth  my  early  care, 

Not  without  song  each  morning  and  due  pi  also,       800 

Shall  tend  theej()and  the  fertile  burden  ease 

Of  thy  full  branches,  offered  free  to  all ; 

Till  dieted  by  thee  I  gi-ow  mature 

In  knowledge,  as  the  gods  who  all  things  know, 

Though  othei-s  envy  what  they  cannot  give ;  806 

For  had  the  gift  been  theirs,  it  had  not  here 

Thus  grown.     Experience,  next  to  thee  I  owe, 

Best  guide  ;  not  following  thee  I  had  remained 

In  ignorance ;  thou  open'st  wisdom's  way. 

And  giv'st  access,  though  secret  she  retire :  810 

And  I  perhaps  am  secret ;   Heaven  is  high. 

High  and  remote  to  see  from  thence  distinct 

Each  thing  on  earth  ;  and  other  care  perhaps 

May  have  diverted  from  continual  watch 

Our  great  forjjidder,  safe  with  all  his  spies  815 

About  him.  (  But  to  Adam  in  wliat  sort 

Shall  I  appear  ?  shall  I  to  him  make  known 

As  yet  my  change,  and  give  him  to  partake 

Full  happiness  with  me,  or  rather  not, 

But  keep  the  odds  of  knowledge  in  my  power         820 

Without  copartner  ?  so  to  add  what  wants 

In  female  sex,  the  more  to  draw  his  love7\ 

And  render  me  more  equal,  and  perhaps, 

A  thing  not  undesirable,  sometime 

Superior  ;  for  inferior  who  is  free  ?  826 

This  may  be  well :  t[but  what  if  God  have  seen, 

805.  Though  others  envy,  and  remained,  if  I  had  not  foUo-wed 
yet  they  (the  gods)  desire  selfi.sh-    thee,  I  should  have  remained. 

ly   to     withhold     from     others.  81*0.  secret,  unseen ;  apart. 

Some  by  others  understand  g-o</5.  811.  And  I  perhaps  a>n  secret, 

806.  haiJ  the  gift,  if  the  gift,  or  what  I  hare  done  is  perhaps 
power  of  giving,  had  been  theirs,  unknown.  "  Yet  they  say,  the 
it  would  not  have  here  grown.  Lord  shall  not  see."    Psalm  JciT. 

807.  Give,  am  indebted.  7. 

803.  net  following  thee  I  had        821.  wants,  is  wanting. 

18 


274  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX. 

And  death  ensue  ?  tben  T  sliall  be  no  more, 

And  Adam,  wedded  to  another  Eve, 

Shall  live  with  her  enjoyhig,  I  extinct ; 

A  death  to  think  !      Confirmed  then  I  resolve,         83C 

Adam  shall  share  with  me  in  bliss  or  woe : 

So  dear  I  love  him,  that  with  him  all  deathj 

I  could  endure,  without  him  live  no  life 


eatiis 

-7 


So  saying,  from  the  tree  her  step  she  turned, 
But  first  low  reverence  done,  as  to  the  power  336 

That  dwelt  within,  Avhose  presence  had  infused 
Into  the  plant  sciential  sap,  derived 
From  nectar,  drink  of  gods.     Adam  the  while. 
Waiting  desirous  her  return,  had  wove 
Of  choicest  fiowers  a  garland  to  adorn  840 

Her  tresses,  and  her  rural  labors  crown, 
As  reapers  oft  are  wont  their  harvest  queen. 
Great  joy  he  promised  to  his  thoughts,  and  new 
Solace  in  her  return,  so  long  delayed ; 
Yet  oft  his  heart,  divine  of  something  ill,  845 

Misgave  him  ;  he  the  faltering  measure  felt, 
And  forth  to  meet  her  went,  the  way  she  took 
That  morn  when  first  they  parted.      By  the  Tree 
Of  Knowledge  he  must  pass,  there  he  her  met. 
Scarce  from  the  tree  returning  ;  in  her  hand  850 

A  bough  of  fairest  fruit,  that  downy  smiled, 
New  gathered,  and  ambrosial  smell  diffused. 
To  him  she  hasted  ;  in  her  face  excuse 
Came  prologue  and  apology  to  prompt,  864 

Which  with  bland  words  at  will  she  thus  addressed : 

830.    A  death  to  think,  to  \h\n\  846.  the  faltering  measure  felt, 

of  such  a  thing  is  itseU"  a  kind  of  felt  his    heart    beat    falteringly, 

death.—  Conjinned.  datevnuned.  with  nii.^giving. 

835.    reverence  done.    This  is  850.  .SVrt/Tfi,  hardly ;  just, 

the  case  absolute.  854.  prologue,  preface  or  intro- 

837.    sciential,    giving    knovrl-  ductiou.  —  to  prompt.      Milton's 

edge,  causing  'visdom.  own  editions  have  to,  but  most 

842.  are  xoont,  are  wont  to  do  editors  prefer  too. 

fbr.  855.  at  will,  at  her  ccmmand 

845.  divine  of,  divining  ;  fore- 
boding. 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  275 

"  Hast  thou  not  wondered,  Adara,  at  my  stay  ? 
Thee  I  have  missed,  and  thought  It  long,  deprived 
Thy  presence  :  agony  of  love  till  now 
Not  felt,  nor  shall  be  twice,  for  never  more 
Mean  I  to  try,  what  rash  untried  I  sought,  860 

The  pain  of  absence  from  thy  sight.     But  strange 
Hath  been  the  cause,  and  wonderful  to  hear. 
^This  tree  is  not,  as  we  are  told,  a  tree 
Of  danger  tasted,  nor  to  evil  unknown 
Opening  the  way,  but  of  divine  effect  S65 

To  open  eyes,  and  make  them  gods  who  taste  ;| 
And  hath  been  tasted  such.     The  serpent  wis*^ 
Or  not  restrained  as  we,  or  not  obeying, 
Hath  eaten  of  the  fruit,  and  is  become. 
Not  dead,  as  we  are  threatened,  but  henceforth       870 
Endued  with  human  voice  and  human  sense, 
"Reasoning  to  admiration,  and  with  me 
Persuasively  hath  so  prevailed,  that  I 
Have  also  tasted,  and  have  also  found 
The  effects  to  correspond  ;  opener  mine  eyes  875 

Dim  erst,  dilated  spirits,  ampler  heart. 
And  growing  up  to  godhead  ;  Avhich  for  thee 
Chiefly  I  sought,  without  thee  can  despise : 
For  bliss,  as  thou  hast  part,  to  me  is  bliss  ; 
Tedious,  unshared  with  thee,  and  odious  soon.         880 
Thou  therefore  also  taste,  that  equal  lot 
May  join  us,  equal  joy,  as  equal  love  ; 
Lest,  thou  not  tasting,  different  degree 
Disjoin  us,  and  I  then  too  late  renounce 
Deity  for  thee,  when  fate  will  not  permit."  885 

Thus  Eve  with  countenance  blithe  her  story  told  ; 

R57.     deprived^    deprived    of;  merly  dim.  —  dilated  spirits,  ^• 

•without.  lated    are   my  spirits.  —  ample? 

664.  tasted,  -when  tasted.  heart,  enlarged  my  heart. 

867.  such,  and  found  such.  Sid.  ai  thou  hast  part^  just  so 

868.  Or,  either.  far  as  thou  sharest. 
>576.  Dim  erst,  -which  were  for- 


87G  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX. 

But  in  her  cheek  distemper  flushing  glowed. 
On  the  other  side,  Adam,  soon  as  he  heard 
The  fatal  trespass  done  by  Eve,  amazed, 
Astonied  stood  and  blank,  while  horroi  chill  89C 

Ran  through  his  veins,  and  all  his  joints  relaxed ; 
From  his  slack  hand  the  garland  wreathed  for  Eve 
Down  dropped,  and  all  the  faded  roses  shed  : 
Speechless  he  stood  and  pale,  till  thus  at  length 
Fii-st  to  himself  he  inward  silence  broke  :  895 

"  O  fairest  of  creation,  last  and  best 
Of  all  God's  works,  ci-eature  in  whom  excelled 
Whatever  can  to  sight  or  thought  be  formed 
Holy,  divine,  good,  amiable,  or  sweet  ! 
How  art  thou  lost,  how  on  a  sudden  lost,  900 

Defaced,  deflowered,  and  now  to  death  devote ! 
Rather,  how  hast  thou  yielded  to  transgress 
The  strict  forbiddance,  how  to  violate 
The  sacred  fruit  forbidden  !      Some  cursed  fraud 
Of  enemy  hath  beguiled  thee,  yet  unknown,  905 

And  me  with  thee  hath  ruined,  for  with  thee, 
Certain  my  resolution  is  to  die. 
How  can  I  live  without  thee  !  how  forego 
Thy  sweet  converse,  and  love  so  dearly  joined, 
To  live  again  in  these  wild  woods  forlorn  !  910 

Should  God  create  another  Eve,  and  I 
Another  rib  afford,  yet  loss  of  thee 
Would  never  from  my  heart :  no,  no  !  I  feel 
The  link  of  nature  draw  me  ;  flesh  of  flesh. 
Bone  of  my  bone  thou  art,  and  from  thy  state  9lg 

Mine  never  shall  be  parted,  bliss  or  woe." 

So  having  said,  as  one  from  sad  dismay 

887.  distemper^  disturbance.  909.  converse^  society. 

890.  astonied,  astonishad.  913.  from,  be  absent  from. 

892.  slack,  grown  weak.  915.    Bone  of  my  bone.      Sm 

901.  devote,  devoted  ;  doomed.  Genesis  ii.  23. 


BooKlX.l  PARADISE  LOhT.  277 

Recoraforted,  and  after  thoughts  disturbed 

Submitting  to  what  seemed  remediless, 

Thus  in  calm  mood  his  words  to  Eve  he  turned  :     920 

"  Bold  deed  thou  hast  presumed,  adventurous  Eve, 
And  peril  great  provoked,  who  thus  hath  dared, 
Had  it  been  only  coveting,  to  eye 
That  sacred  fruit,  sacred  to  abstinence. 
Much  more  to  taste  it  under  ban  to  touch.  925 

But  past  who  can  recall,  or  done  undo  ? 
Not  God  omnipotent,  nor  Fate ;  yet  so 

OPerhaps  thou  shalt  not  die,  perhaps  the  fact 
Is  not  so  heinous  now,  foretasted  fruit. 
Profaned  fii-st  by  the  serpent,  by  him  first  930 

Made  common  and  unhallowed  ere  our  taste, 
Nor  yet  on  him  found  deadly  ;  he  yet  lives. 
Lives,  as  thou  said'st,  and  gains  to  live  as  man, 
Higher  degree  of  life ;  inducement  strong 
To  us,  as  likely  tasting  to  attain  935 

Proportional  ascent,  which  cannot  be 
But  to  be  gods,  or  angels  demi-gods. 

Q^or  can  I  think  that  God,  Creator  wise. 
Though  threatening,  will  in  earnest  so  destroy 
Us  his  prime  creatures,  dignified  so  high,  940 

Set  over  all  his  works,  which  in  our  fall, 
For  us  created,  needs  with  us  must  fail, 
Dependent  made  ;  C«o  God  shall  uncreate, 
Be  frustrate,  do,  undo,  and  labor  lose  ; 
Not  well  conceived  of  God,  who,  though  his  power 
Creation  could  repeat,  yet  would  be  loath  946 

919.    remediless^  without  rem-  929.  foretasted  fruit,  the   fruit 

edy.  having  been  first  tiisted. 

923.    coveting^  with  desire   to  931.   ere   our  taste,   before   w« 

taste.  tasted. 

925.    Much  more,  much  more  9.3.5.  tasting,  if  we  taste, 

taet  dared. — under  fcan,  forbid-  937.  arigels,  \f  angels. 

iiux  94lO.  prime,  first  in  importanc'* 
944.  f'ustrate,  frustrated. 


278  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

Us  to  abolish,  lest  the  Adversary 

Triumph  and  say,  '  Fickle  their  state  whom  God 

Most  favors  ;  who  can  please  him  long  ?     Me  first 

He  ruined,  now  mankind  ;    whom  will  he  next  ?  *  950 

Matter  of  scorn,  not  to  be  given  the  foe. 

However,  I  with  thee  have  fixed  my  lot, 

Certain  to  undergo  like  doom  ;  if  death 

Consort  with  thee,  death  is  to  me  as  life  ; 

So  forcible  within  my  heart  I  feel  956 

The  bond  of  nature  draAV  me  to  my  own  ; 

My  own  in  thee,  for  what  thou  art  is  mine  : 

Our  state  cannot  be  severed,  we  are  one. 

One  flesh  ;  to  lose  thee  were  to  lose  myself.'* 

So  Adam,  and  thus  Eve  to  him  replied :  960 

"  O  glorious  trial  of  exceeding  love. 
Illustrious  evidence,  example  high. 
Engaging  me  to  emulate  !  but,  short 
Of  thy  perfection,  how  shall  I  attain, 
Adam  ?  from  whose  dear  side  I  boast  me  sprung,    965 
And  gladly  of  our  union  hear  thee  speak. 
One  heart,  one  soul  in  both ;  whereof  good  proof 
This  day  aflbrds,  declaring  thee  resolved, 
Rather  than  death  or  aught  than  death  more  dread 
Shall  separate  us  linked  in  love  so  dear,  970 

To  undergo  with  me  one  guilt,  one  crime, 
If  any  be,  of  tasting  this  fiiir  fruit, 
Whose  virtue  (for  of  good  still  good  proceeds 
Direct,  or  by  occasion)  hath  presented 
This  happy  trial  of  thy  love,  which  else  vn 

So  eminently  never  had  been  known. 
Were  it  I  thought  death  menaced  would  ensue 
This  my  attempt,  I  would  sustain  alone 
The  woi-st  and  not  persuade  thee,  rather  die 

953.  Certain^  resolved.  964.  attain,  attain  to  it. 

954.  Consort,  be  joined  Q~'i.  by  occasion,  \nc\i\fniaXly 
859.  were,  would  be.  977.  ensue,  follow. —  Were  it,  if 


Book  IX.j  PARADISE  LOST.  279 

Peserted  than  oblige  thee  with  a  fact  980 

rernicious  to  thy  peace,  chiefly  assured 

Remarkably  so  late  of  thy  so  true 

So  faithful  love  unequalled ;  but  I  feel 

Far  otherwise  the  event,  not  death,  but  life 

Augmented,  opened  eyes,  new  hopes,  new  joys,        955 

Taste  so  divine,  that  what  of  sweet  before 

Hath  touched  my  sense  flat  seems  to  this,  and  harsh. 

On  my  experience,  Adam,  freely  taste, 

And  fear  of  death  deliver  to  the  winds." 

C    So  saying,  she  embraced  him,  and  for  joy  990 

Tenderly  Avept,  much  won  that  he  his  love 
Had  so  ennobled,  as  of  choice  to  incur 
Divine  displeasure  for  her  sake,  or  deatl^ 
In  recompense  (for  such  compliance  bad 
Such  recompense  best  merits),  from  the  bough  995 

She  o-ave  him  of  that  fair  enticinn;  fruit 
With  liberal  hand  :riie  scrupled  not  to  eat, 
Against  his  better  knowledge,  not  deceived. 
But  fondly  overcome  '^yi'idlLfe.l^^J^  ^harm. 
Earth  tremblea  from  her  entrailsTasagain  lOOO 

In  pangs,  and  Nature  gave  a  second  groan ; 
Sky  loured,  and,  muttering  thunder,  some  sad  drops 
Wept  at  completing  of  the  mortal  sin 
Original ;  while  Adam  took  no  thought. 
Eating  his  fill,  nor  Eve  to  iterate  1005 

Her  former  trespass  feared,  the  more  to  soothe 
Him  with  her  loved  society  ;  that  now, 

980.  oblige.    This  word  is  here        9S7.  to,  compared  with, 
ased  ia  one  of  the  senses  of  the        991.  icon„  charmed. 
Latin     yerb     "oblige,"'     which        996.  See  Genesis  iii.  6. 
Bometimes  means  to  make  guilty,         1000.  Eartli  trembled.    ?^e  lines 
B.nd  so  lound  to  the  punishment  780-784. 

»f  guilt.  — /act,  deed.  1003.  mortal,  deadly  ;  bringing 

981.  chiefly   nssured,   more  es-     death.     See  I.  2.  3. 

pecially  now  that  1  have  been  1J04.     Original,    first ;   begin- 

kRsiired.  ning  of  all  others. 

984.  ^/lecren^,  the  consequence  1005.  iterate,  repeat. 

Vdy.  See  lines  875,  876.  1007    tliat^  so  that. 


280  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

As  with  new  wine  intoxicated  both, 

riiey  swim  in  mirth,  and  fancy  that  they  feel 

Divinity  within  them  breeding  wings  lOlC 

Wherewith  to  scorn  the  earth  :  but  that  false  frnit 

Far  other  operation  first  displayed, 

Carnal  desire  inflaming  ;  he  on  Eve 

Began  to  cast  lascivious  eyes ;  she  him 

As  wantonly  repaid  ;  in  lust  they  burn,  1011 

Till  Adam  thus  gan  Eve  to  dalliance  move ; 

"  Eve,  now  I  see  thou  art  exact  of  taste 
And  elegant,  of  sapience  no  small  part, 
Since  to  each  meaning  savor  we  apply. 
And  palate  call  judicious  ;  I  the  praise  1020 

Yield  thee,  so  well  this  day  thou  hast  purveyed. 
Much  pleasure  we  have  lost,  while  we  abstained 
From  this  delightful  fruit,  nor  known  till  now 
True  relish,  tasting  ;  if  such  pleasure  be 
In  things  to  us  forbidden,  it  might  be  wished  1025 

For  this  one  tree  had  been  forbidden  ten. 
But  come,  so  well  refreshed,  now  let  us  play. 
As  meet  is  after  such  delicious  fare  ; 
For  never  did  thy  beauty,  since  the  day 
I  saw  thee  first  and  wedded  thee,  adorned  1080 

With  all  perfections,  so  inflame  my  sense 
With  ardor  to  enjoy  thee,  fairer  now 
Than  ever,  bounty  of  this  virtuous  tree." 

So  said  he,  and  forbore  not  glance  or  toy 
Of  amorous  intent,  well  understood  1031 

Of  Eve,  whose  eye  darted  contagious  fire. 

1018.  of  sapience  nn  small  party    "sapor"  is  used  both  literally 
which   (this    exact  and    elegant    and  figuratively. 

taste)  is  itself  no  small  part  of        102'1.  tasting,  having  tasted  it 
wisdom  or  sapience.  1026.  For,  that  instead  of. 

1019.  Since  we  use  the  word  in 
both  genses.      The  Latin    word 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  281 

Her  hand  he  seized,  and  to  a  shady  bank, 

Thick  over  head  with  verdant  roof  iuibowered, 

He  led  her  nothing  loath  ;  flowers  were  the  couch, 

Pansies  and  violets  and  asphodel  1040 

And  hyacinth,  earth's  freshest  softest  lap. 

There  they  their  fill  of  love  and  love's  disport 

Took  largely,  of  their  mutual  guilt  the  seal, 

The  solace  of  their  sin,  till  dewy  sleep 

Oppressed  them,  wearied  with  their  amorous  play. 

Soon  as  the  force  of  that  fallacious  fruit,  1046 

That  with  exhilarating  vapor  bland 

About  their  spirits  had  played  and  inmost  powers 

Made  err,  was  now  exhaled,  and  grosser  sleep. 

Bred  of  unkindly  fumes,  with  conscious  dreams       lOoO 

Encumbered,  now  had  left  them  ;  up  they  rose 

As  from  unrest,  and,  each  the  other  viewing. 

Soon  found  their  eyes  how  opened,  and  their  minds 

How  darkened  :  innocence,  that  as  a  veil  « 

Had  shadowed  them  from  knowing  ill,  wa5  gone, 

Just  confidence  and  native  righteousness  1056 

And  honor,  from  about  them,  naked  left 

To  guilty  Shame ;  he  covered,  but  his  robe 

Uncovered  more.      So  rose  the  Danite  strong, 

Herculean  Samson,  from  the  harlot-lap  1060 

Of  Philistcan  Dalilah,  and  waked 

Shorn  of  his  strength  ;  they  destitute  and  bare 

Of  all  their  virtue  :  silent,  and  in  face 

Confounded,  long  they  sat,  as  strucken  mute. 

Till  Adam,  though  not  less  than  Eve  abashed,        1065 

At  length  gave  utterance  to  these  words  constrained ; 

"  O  Eve,  in  evil  hour  thou  didst  give  ear 

1049.  Made  err^  bad  made  to  1057.  from  about  them,  were 
err.  gone  from  about  them. 

1050  conscious,  conscious  of  1059.  7nore,  more  tluin  he  cov- 
guilt.  ered.  —  the  l)anite.     See  Juiigef 

xiii.  and  xvi.  4-21. 


282  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  DL 

To  that  false  worm,  of  whomsoever  taught 

To  counterfeit  man's  voice,  true  in  our  fall, 

False  in  our  promised  rising ;  since  our  eyes  1070 

Opened  we  find  indeed,  and  find  Ave  know 

Both  good  and  evil,  good  lost,  and  evil  got ; 

Bad  fruit  of  knowledge,  if  this  be  to  know. 

Which  leaves  us  naked  thus,  of  honor  void, 

Of  innocence,  of  faith,  of  purity,  1075 

Our  wonted  ornaments  now  soiled  and  stained, 

And  in  our  faces  evident  the  signs 

Of  foul  concupiscence  ;  whence  evil  store, 

Even  shame,  the  last  of  evils  ;  of  the  first 

Be  sure  then.      Hoav  shall  I  behold  the  face  1080 

Henceforth  of  God  or  angel,  erst  with  joy 

And  rapture  so  oft  beheld  ?  those  heavenly  shapes 

Will  dazzle  now  this  earthly  with  their  blaze 

Insufferably  bright.      O  might  I  here 

Iti  solitude  live  savage,  in  some  glade  1085 

Obscured,  where  highest  woods,  impenetrable 

To  star  or  sun  light,  spread  their  umbrage  broad 

And  brown  as  evening  !   Cover  me,  ye  pines, 

Ye  cedars,with  innumerable  boughs 

Hide  me,  where  I  may  never  see  them  more  !         1090 

But  let  us  now,  as  in  bad  plight,  devise 

What  best  may  for  the  present  serve  to  hide 

The  parts  of  each  from  other,  that  seem  most 

To  shame  obnoxious,  and  unseemliest  seen ; 

Some  tree,  whose  broad  smooth  leaves,  together  sewed 

And  girded  on  our  loins,  may  cover  round  1096 

Those  middle  parts,  that  this  new  comer,  Shame, 

There  sit  not,  and  reproach  us  as  unclean." 

So  counselled  he,  and  both  together  went 

106S.    worm.     Compare    VII.  1079.  Jirst,  first  evil  or  evUd, 

482-4&4.  1081.  erst,  formerly. 

1078.    evil  store,  store  of  evil  1090.  them.    See  line  1082. 
things 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  283 

Into  the  thickest  avoocI  ;  there  soon  they  chose       1100 
The  fig-tree,  not  that  kind  for  fruit  renowned, 
But  such  as  at  this  day  to  Indians  known 
In  Malabar  or  Decan  spreads  her  arms 
Branching  so  broad  and  long,  that  in  the  ground 
The  bended  twigs  take  root  and  daughters  grow 
About  the  mother  tree,  a  pillared  shade  1106 

High  overarched,  and  echoing  walks  between  ; 
There  oft  the  Indian  herdsman,  shunning  heat, 
Shelters  in  cool,  and  tends  his  pasturing  herds 
At    loop-holes    cut  through    thickest  shade.      Those 

leaves 
They  gathered,  broad  as  Amazonian  targe,  llll 

And,  with  what  skill  they  had,  together  sewed, 
To  gird  their  waist ;  vain  covering,  if  to  hide 
Their  guilt  and  dreaded  shame  !   O  how  unlike 
To  that  first  naked  glory  !    Such  of  late  1115 

Columbus  found  the  American,  so  girt 
With  feathered  cincture,  naked  else  and  wild 
Among  the  trees  on  isles  and  woody  shores. 
Thus  fenced  and,  as  they  thought,  their  shame  in  part 
Covered,  but  not  at  rest  or  ease  of  mind,  1120 

They  sat  them  down  to  weep  ;  nor  only  teai-s 
Rained  at  their  eyes,  but  high  winds  worse  within 
Began  to  rise,  high  passions,  anger,  hate, 

1102.  Indians,  the  inhabitants    leaves     are  not    large,    so    that 
of  India.  the    description  in  line  1111   is 

1103.  Malabar  or  Decan.     The     incorrect. 

Deccau  is  a  name   formerly  ap-  11('9.  cool,  the  cool, 

plied  to  the  whole  of  the  southern  1110.  loop-holes  cut,ha.ying  cut 

part   of    Ilindostan.      Its    west-  openings  through  which  he  can 

em  coast  is  called  Malabar.  watch. 

1106.    a  pillared  shade.      Tha  1111.     Amazonian    targe,    thd 

Ficus    Indica,    Indian    i'ig,     or  shield  of  an  Amazon.     The  Ama- 

Banyan   tree,   throws  out  roots  zons  were  a  race  of  female  war' 

from  its  branches,  which,  reach-  riors. 

Cng   the  ground,   fix  themselves  1115.  of  late,  lately.     Milton 

there,  and  become  in  their  turn  was  two  centuries  nearer  Colum- 

trunks  with  branches  fi-om  which  b  us  than  we  are. 

other  roots  are  thrown  out,  till  1X12.  fenced,  defended. 
Mie   tree  becomes  a  grove.    Its 


284  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX 

Mistrust,  suspicion,  discord,  and  shook  sore 

Their  inward  state  of  mind,  cahn  region  once         112B 

And  full  of  peace,  now  tossed  and  turbulent ; 

For  understanding  ruled  not  and  the  will 

Heard  not  her  lore,  both  in  subjection  now 

To  sensual  appetite,  who  from  beneath. 

Usurping  over  sovran  reason,  claimed  1130 

Superior  sway :  from  thus  distempered  breast, 

Adam,  estranged  in  look  and  altered  style, 

Speech  intermitted  thus  to  Eve  renewed  : 

(  "  Would  thou  hadst  hearkened  to  my  wordsj,  and 

^  staid 

With  me,  as  I  besought  thee,  Avhen  that  strange 
Desire  of  wandering  this  unhappy  morn,  1136 

I  know  not  whence,  possessed  thee  ;  we  had  then 
Remained  still  happy,  not  as  now  despoiled 
Of  all  our  good,  shamed,  naked,  miserable. 
Let  none  henceforth  seek  needless  cause  to  approve 
The  faith  they  owe  ;  when  earnestly  they  seek      1141 
Such  proof,  conclude  they  then  begin  to  fail." 

To  whom,  soon  moved  with  touch  of  blame,  thus 
Eve  : 
"  What  words  have  passed  thy  lips,  Adam  severe ! 
Imput'st  thou  that  to  my  default,  or  will  1145 

Of  wandering  as  thou  call'st  it,  ^vhich  who  knows 
But  might  as  ill  have  happened  thou  being  by, 
Or  to  thyself  perhaps  ?     Hadst  thou  been  there, 
Or  here  the  attempt,  thou  couldst  not  have  discerned 

1128.  her  lore.,  the  learning  or  1145.   will,    wish  ;   determined 

counsel      that       understanding  purpose, 

would  have  given.  114:6.   which.     The  antecedent 

1131.  thus  ilistempered  breast,  is   </;at  in  line  1145. 

breast  thus  disturbed.  1149.    Or   here  the.  ant-mpt,   oi 

1137.  haU,  should  have.  had   the   trial,   the    tempta'ioa 

1140.   approve,  prove  by  trial,  been  here. 
See  lines  319-349. 


Book  IX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  285 

Fraud  in  the  serpent,  speaking  as  he  spake ;  1160 

No  ground  of  enmity  between  us  known 

Why  he  shouhl  mean  me  ill,  or  seek  to  harm. 

Was  I  to  have  never  parted  from  thy  side  ? 

As  good  have  grown  there  still  a  lifeless  rib  ! 

Being  as  I  am,  Avhv  didst  not  thou,  thehead^        1155 

Command  me  absolutely  not  to  go, 

Going  into  such  danger  as  thou  saidst  ? 

Too  facile  then,  thou  didst  not  much  gainsay, 

Nay,  didst  permit,  approve,  and  fair  dismiss. 

Hadst  thou  been  firm  and  fixed  in  thy  dissent,        1160 

Neither  had  I  transgressed,  nor  thou  with  me." 

To  whom  then  first  incensed  Adam  replied : 
"  Is  this  the  love,  is  this  the  recompense 
Of  mine  to  thee,  ingrateful  Eve,  expressed 
Immutable  w-hen  thou  wert  lost,  not  I,  1166 

Who  might  have  lived  and  joyed  immortal  bliss. 
Yet  willingly  chose  rather  death  with  thee  ? 
And  am  I  now  upbraided  as  the  cause 
Of  thy  transgressing  ?  not  enough  severe, 
It  seems,  in  thy  restraint ;  what  could  I  more  ?      1170 
I  warned  thee,  I  admonished  thee,  foretold 
The  danger,  and  the  lurking  enemy 
That  lay  in  wait  ;  beyond  this  had  been  force, 
And  force  upon  free  Avili  hath  here  no  place. 
But  confidence  then  bore  thee  on,  secure  1175 

Either  to  meet  no  danger  or  to  find 
Matter  of  glorious  trial ;  and  perhaps 
I  also  erred  in  overmuch  admirinor 


1152.   V/hy,  for  which.  1166.  joyed,  enjoyed. 

1155.    thou,   the   head       "  The  1170.  in  thy    restraint,    in    re- 

aead  of  the  woman  is  the  man."  straining  thee.  —  could  I,  could  I 

Corinthians  xi.  3.  do. 

1160.    dissent,  refusal;   objec-  1173.    beyond    this    had    been 

tion.  force,  anything  more  than    thif 

1164.     mine,    my     love. — ex-  would  have  been  force. 

pressed.     See  lines  952-959.  1175.  secure,  in  sure  belief. 


286  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  IX. 

What  seemed  In  thee  so  perfect,  that  I  thought 
No  evil  durst  attempt  thee  ;  but  I  rue  1180 

That  error  now,  which  is  become  my  crime, 
And  thou  the  accuser,  [jrhus  it  sliall  befall 
.  ~-      Him  who  to  worth  in  women  overtrusting 

'  ^  Lets  her  will  rule  I  restraint  sh  =)  will  not  brook, 

And  left  to  herself,  if  evil  thence  ensue,  1185 

She  first  his  weak  indulgence  will  accuse." 

Thus  they  in  mutual  accusation  spent 
The  fi-uitlcss  hours,  but  neither  self-condemning, 
And  of  their  vain  contest  appeared  no  end. 

1180.  attempt^  attack ;  try.  11S9.    appeared  no  endy  tb«N 

11S3.    women.      "  Woman  "       seemed  to  be  no  end. 
ironld  seem  to  be  more  correct. 


BOOK   X. 

THE  ARGUMENT. 

Man's  transgression  known,  the  guardian  angels  forsake  Paradlst 
and  return  up  to  Heaven  to  approve  their  vigilance,  and  are  ap- 
proved ;  God  declaring  that  the  entrance  of  Satan  could  not  be  by 
them  prevented.  He  sends  his  Son  to  judge  the  transgressors 
who  descends  and  gives  sentence  accordingly ;  then  in  pity 
clothes  them  both,  and  reascends.  Sin  and  Death,  sitting  till 
then  at  the  gates  of  Hell,  by  wondrous  sympathy  feeling  the 
success  of  Satan  in  this  new  world  and  the  sin  by  man  there  com- 
mitted, resolve  to  sit  no  longer  confined  in  Ilell,  but  to  follow 
Satan  their  sire  up  to  the  place  of  man.  To  make  the  way  easier 
from  Ilell  to  this  world  to  and  fro,  they  pave  a  broad  highway  or 
bridge  over  Chaos,  according  to  the  track  that  Satan  first  made  ; 
then  preparing  for  Earth,  they  meet  him,  proud  of  his  success, 
returning  to  Ilell  ;  their  mutual  gratulation,  Satan  arrives  at 
Pandemoidum  ;  in  full  assembly  relates,  with  boasting,  his  success 
against  man  ;  instead  of  applause  is  entertained  with  a  general  hiss  : 
by  all  his  audience,  transformed  with  himself  also  suddenly  into 
serpents,  according  to  his  doom  given  in  Paradise .  tlien,  deluded 
with  a  show  of  the  forbidden  tree  springing  up  before  them,  they, 
greedily  reaching  to  take  of  the  fruit,  chew  dust  and  bitter  ashes. 
The  proceedings  of  Sin  and  Death.  God  foretells  the  final  victory  of 
his  Son  over  them,  and  the  renewing  of  all  things  ;  but  for  the  pres- 
ent commands  his  angels  to  make  several  alterations  in  the  heavens 
and  elements.  Adam,  more  and  more  perceiving  his  fallen  con- 
dition, heavily  bewails  ;  rejects  the  condolement  of  Eve  ;  she  per- 
sists, and  at  length  appeases  him  :  then,  to  evade  the  curse  likely 
to  fall  on  their  offspring,  proposes  to  Adam  violent  ways  which  ho 
approves  not,  but  conceiving  better  hope,  puts  her  in  mind  of  the 
late  promise  made  them,  that  her  seed  should  be  revenged  on  the 
Serpent,  and  exhorts  her,  with  him,  to  seek  peace  with  the  of- 
fended Deity  by  repentance  and  supplication. 

Meakwhlle  the  heinous  and  despiteful  act 
Of  Satan  done  in  Paradise,  and  how 


288  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book X. 

He  in  the  serpent  had  perverted  Eve, 
Her  husband  she,  to  taste  the  fatal  fruit, 
Was  known  In  Heaven  ;  for  what  can  scape  the  eye     6 
Of  God  all-seeing,  or  deceive  his  heart 
Omniscient  ?  who,  in  all  things  wise  and  just, 
Hindered  not  Satan  to  attempt  the  mind 
Of  man,  with  strength  entire  and  free-will  armed 
Complete  to  have  discovered  and  repulsed  10 

Whatever  wiles  of  foe  or  seeming  friend. 
Fcr  still  they  knew,  and  ought  to  have  still  remem- 
bered, 
The  high  injunction  not  to  taste  that  fruit, 
Whoever  tempted  ;  which  they  not  obeying 
Incurred  (what  could  they  less  ?)  the  penalty,  15 

And,  manifold  in  sin,  deserved  to  fall. 

Up  into  Heaven  from  Paradise  in  haste 
The  angelic  guards  ascended,  mute  and  sad 
For  man  ;  for  of  his  state  by  this  they  knew. 
Much  Avondering  how  the  subtle  Fiend  had  stolen    20 
Entrance  unseen.      Soon  as  the  unwelcome  news 
From  Earth  arrived  at  Heaven-gate,  displeased 
All  were  who  heard  ;  dim  sadness  did  not  spare 
That  time  celestial  visages,  yet  mixed 
With  pity  violated  not  their  bliss.  25 

About  the  new-arrived  in  multitudes 
The  ethereal  people  ran,  to  hear  and  know 
How  all  befell :  they  towards  the  throne  supreme, 
Accountable,  made  haste  to  make  appear 
With  righteous  plea  their  utmost  vigilance,  30 

And  easily  approved ;  when  the  Most  High 

4.  Her  husband  she,   how  she  16.    manifold    in  sin,    having 

bad  perverted  her  husband.  committed  many  sins  in  their  on* 

8.  attempt^  sitta,ck.  ;  tempt.  act  of  disobedience. 

10.    Complete,  sufficient.  19.  this,  this  time. 

12.  they,  referring  to  Man  (see  22.    displeased,   grieved  ;    sad 

line  9),  here  used  for  both  Adam  dened. 

uid  Eve.  28    they.    See  line  18. 
31.  approved,  proved 


b,okX1  paradise  lost.  289 

Eternal  Feather  from  his  secret  cloud 
Amidst  in  thunder  uttered  thus  his  voice  : 

"  Assembled  Angels,  and  ye  Powers  returned 
From  unsuccessful  charge,  be  not  dismayed  36 

Nor  troubled  at  these  tidings  from  the  earth, 
Which  your  sincerest  care  could  not  prevent ; 
Foretold  so  lately  what  would  come  to  pass 
SVhen  first  this  tempter  crossed  the  gulf  from  Hell. 
I  told  ye  then  he  should  prevail  and  speed  40 

On  his  bad  errand  ;  man  should  be  seduced 
And  flattered  out  of  all,  believing  lies 
Against  his  Maker,  no  decree  of  mine 
Concurring  to  necessitate  his  fall. 
Or  touch  with  lightest  moment  of  impulse  45 

His  free-will,  to  her  own  incHning  left 
In  even  scale.     But  fallen  he  is ;  and  now 
What  rests,  but  that  the  mortal  sentence  pass 
On  his  transgression,  death  denounced  that  day  ? 
Which  he  presumes  already  vain  and  void,  50 

Because  not  yet  inflicted,  as  he  feared, 
By  some  immediate  stroke  ;  but  soon  shall  find    ' 
Forbearance  no  acquittance  ere  day  end : 
Justice  shall  not  return  as  bounty  scorned. 
But  whom  send  I  to  judge  them  ?  whom  but  thee,    56 
Vicegerent  Son  ?    to  thee  I  have  transferred 
All  judgment,    whether    in    Heaven,    or   Earth,    or 
Hell. 


37.  sincerest^  most  faithful.  53.     Forbearance    no    acquit- 

38.  Foretold,  having  been  told  tance,  that  to  forbear  is  not  to 
before.     See  III.   77-137.  acquit  ;  delay  is  not  pardon. 

45.  7noment,  momentum  ;  mo-  5-i.  as  bounty,  as   my  bounty 
tiTe  force  or  turning  power.  has  done. 

46.  her,  its.  57.  All  judginent.       "  For  th« 

48.  rests,  remains;  is  left.  Father  judgeth  no  man,  but  hatb 

49.  that  day.   "  In  the  day  that  committed  all  judgment  unto  th« 
thou  catest   thereof,  thou   shalt  Son."    John  v.  22 

surely  die."    Genesis  ii.  17. 

19 


290  PARADISE  LOST.  JiooikX, 

Easy  it  may  be  seen  that  I  intend 

Mercy  colleague  with  justice,  sending  thee 

Man's  friend,  his  mediator,  his  designed  00 

Both  ransom  and  redeemer  voluntary, 

And  destined  man  himself  to  j  udge  man  fallen.** 

So  spake  the  Father,  and  unfolding  bright 
Toward  the  right  hand  his  glory  on  the  Son 
Blazed  forth  unclouded  deity  ;  he  fall  SB 

Resplendent  all  his  Father  manifest 
Expressed,  and  thus  divinely  answered  mild  : 

"  Father  Eternal,  thine  is  to  decree  ; 
Mine  both  in  Pleaven  and  Earth  to  do  thy  will 
Supreme,  that  thou  in  me  thy  Son  beloved  71 

May'st  ever  rest  well  pleased.     I  go  to  judge 
On  earth  these  thy  transgressors ;  but  thou  know'st, 
Whoever  judged,  the  worst  on  me  must  light 
When  time  shall  be,  for  so  I  undertook 
Before  thee,  and  not  repenting  this  obtain  75 

Of  right,  that  I  may  mitigate  their  doom 
On  me  derived ;  yet  I  shall  temper  so 
Justice  with  mercy,  as  may  illustrate  most 
Them  fully  satisfied,  and  thee  appease. 
Attendance  none  shall  need  nor  train,  where  none   80 
Are  to  behold  the  judgment  but  the  judged, 
Those  two ;  the  third  best  absent  is  condemned, 

59.  colleague^  to  be  leagued  to-        72.     thy     transgressors,    wh« 
gether,  associated.    ^  haye  transgressed  agaiast  the* 

60,  61.   Designed    to  be  both        73.  ^'w/ge^/,  is  judged, 
man's  ransom  and  his  redeemer.  74.  time,  the  time. 

65,  66.  full  resplendent,  in  full        76.  of  right,  as  my  right. 
resplendence.  77.  derived,  drawn  down. 

67.  expressed.     See  Hebrews  i.        78.  illustrate,  clearly  show. 
3.  79.  tliem,  justice  and  mercy, 

71.  well  pleased.     "  And  there        80.  Attendance  none  shall  need, 

.  eame  a  voice  from  heaven,  say-  no   attendance    shall    be    necea- 

tog,  Thou  art  my  beloved  Son,  in  sary. 

whom  I  am  well  pleased."    Mark        ^2.  best  absent  is  condemned^  \a 

i.  U,  best  condemned  when  absent. 


BookX.]  paradise  lost,  201 

Convict  by  flight,  and  rebel  to  all  law ; 
Conviction  to  the  serpent  none  belongs." 

Thus  saying,  from  his  radiant  seat  he  rose  gs 

Of  high  collateral  glory  ;  him  Thrones  and  Powers, 
Princedoms  and  Dominations  ministrant 
Accompanied  to  Heaven-gate,  from  whence 
Eden  and  all  the  coast  in  prospect  lay. 
Down  lie  descended  straight ;  the  speed  of  gods        M 
Time  counts  not,  though  with  swiftest  minutes  winged 
Now  was  the  sun  in  western  cadence  low 
From  noon,  and  gentle  airs,  due  at  their  hour, 
To  fan  the  earth  now  waked,  and  usher  in 
The  CA'cning  cool,  when  he  from  wrath  more  cool     l 
Came,  the  mild  judge  and  intercessor  both, 
To  sentence  man.     The  voice  of  God  they  heard 
Now  walking  in  the  garden,  by  soft  winds 
Brought  to  their  ears  while  day  declined  ;  they  heard 
And  from  his  presence  hid  themselves  among  ix 

The  thickest  trees,  both  man  and  wife,  till  God 
Approaching  thus  to  Adam  called  aloud : 

"  Where  art  thou,  Adam,  wont  with  joy  to  meet 
My  coming  seen  far  off?  I  miss  thee  here, 
Not  pleased  thus  entertained  with  solitudp  105 

Where  obvious  duty  erewhile  appeared  unsought. 
Or  come  I  less  conspicuous,  or  what  change 
Absents  thee  or  what  chance  detains  ?  Come  forth." 


8-3.     Convict,  proved  guilty.  94.  vsher,  to  usher. 

84.     No  conviction,  no  proof  of        99.  rvhile  rtaij  declined.     "And 

e;uilt,  is  needed  for  the  serpent.  they  heard  the  voice  of  the  Lord 

S6.    collateral  glory,  the  glory  God  walking  in  the  garden  in  the 

that  he  had  with,  or  by  the  side  cool  of   the  day."     Genesis  iii. 

of,  the  Father.  S. 

91.  counts  not.,  cannot  count.  102.  See  Genesis  iii.  9. 

92.  cadence.,   falling    or    sink-        105.  Not  pleased.,  displeased, 
ing.  106.      obcioHS.,   offering  itself; 

83.   due  at  their  hour.    See  V.  coming      forward.   —  unsought, 

308.  without  being  sought  after 


^92  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X 

He  came,  and  with  him  Eve,  more  loath,  though 
first 
To  oflend,  discountenanced  both  and  discomposed. 
Love  was  not  in  their  looks  either  to  God  111 

Or  to  each  other,  but  apparent  guilt. 
And  shame  and  perturbation  and  despair, 
Anger  and  obstinacy  and  hate  and  guile  ; 
Whence  Adam,  faltering  long,  thus  answered  brief: 

"  I  heard  thee  in  the  garden,  and  of  thy  voice    IIG 
Afraid,  being  naked,  hid  myself"      To  whom 
The  gracious  Judge  without  revile  replied : 
"  My  voice  thou  oft  hast  heard,  and  hast  not  feared. 
But  still  rejoiced  ;  how  is  it  now  become  120 

So  dreadful  to  thee  ?  that  thou  art  naked  who 
Hath  told  thee  ?  hast  thou  eaten  of  the  tree 
Whereof  I  gave  thee  charge  thou  shouldst  not  eat  ?  " 

To  whom  thus  Adam  sore  beset  replied : 
"  O  Heaven  !  in  evil  strait  this  day  I  stand  126 

Before  my  Judge,  either  to  undergo 
Myself  the  total  crime,  or  to  accuse 
My  other  self,  the  partner  of  my  life ; 
Whose  failing,  while  her  faith  to  me  remains, 
I  should  conceal,  and  not  expose  to  blame  lao 

By  my  complaint ;  but  strict  necessity 
Subdues  me,  and  calamitous  constraint, 
Lest  on  my  head  both  sin  and  punishment, 
However  insupportable,  be  all 

Devolved ;  though  should  I  hold  my  peace,  yet  thou 
Wouldst  easily  detect  what  I  conceal.  IM 

This  woman,  Avliom  thou  mad'st  to  be  my  help 
And  gav'st  me  as  thy  perfect  gift,  so  good, 

112.  apparent,  manifest ;  made        118.  revile^  reproach, 
clear.  125.  strait,  necessity. 

117-    Afraid.    See  Genesis  iii.        127.  crime,  guilt  and  its  pui- 

10  ishment. 


BookX.]  paradise  lost.  293 

So  fit,  so  acceptable,  so  divine, 

That  from  her  hand  I  could  suspect  no  ill,  140 

And  what  she  did,  whatever  in  itself. 

Her  doing  seemed  to  justify  the  deed,  — 

She  gave  me  of  the  tree,  and  I  did  eat." 

To  whom  the  sovran  Presence  thus  replied  : 
^Was  she  thy  God,  that  her  thou  didst  obey  145 

Before  his  voice  ?  or  was  she  made  thy  guide, 
Superior,  or  but  equal,  that  to  her 
Thou  didst  resign  thy  manhood,  and  the  place 
Wherein  God  set  thee  above  her  made  of  thee 
And  for  thee,  whose  perfection  far  excelled  155 

Hers  in  all  real  dignity  ?     Adorned 
She  was  Indeed,  and  lovely  to  attract 
Thy  love,  not  thy  subjection;  and  her  gifts 
Were  such  as  under  government  well  seemed, 
Unseemly  to  bear  rule,  which  was  thy  part  15s 

And  person,  hadst  thou  known  thyself  aright." 

So  having  said,  he  thus  to  Eve  in  few : 
"  Say,   woman,  what  Is  this  which  thou  hast  done  ?  " 

To  whom  sad  Eve,  with  shame  nigh  overwhelmed, 
Confessing  soon,  yet  not  before  her  Judge  lec 

Bold  or  loquacious,  thus  abashed  replied : 
'*  The  serpent  me  beguiled,  and  I  did  eat." 

Which  when  the  Lord  God  heard,  without  delay 
To  judgment  he  proceeded  on  the  accused 

141      whatever  in  itself,  what-        347    but,  only  ;  even, 
ever  it  might  be  in  itself,  in  its        154.  well  seettieil,  shovred  well  { 

own  character.  were  well  becoming . 

1-13       She  gave.      "  And   the        156.  person,  character,  as  in  a 

man  said,  The  woman  whom  play  ;  .he  Latin  "  persona." 
thou  gavest  to  be  with  me,  she  157.  in  fiw,  in  few  words, 
gave  me  of  the  tree,  and   I   did         162.  beguiled.    See  Genesis  iii 

eat."    Genesis  iii.  12.  13. 


394  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X 

Serpent,  tbougli  brute,  unable  to  transfer  166 

The  guilt  on  him  who  made  him  instrument 

Of  mischief,  and  polluted  from  the  end 

Of  his  creation;  justly  then  accursed, 

As  vitiated  in  nature.     More  to  know 

Concerned  not  man  (since  he  no  further  knew)       178 

Nor  altered  his  offence  :  yet  God  at  last 

To  Satan,  first  in  sin,  his  doom  applied, 

Though  in  mysterious  terms,  judged  as  then  best, 

And  on  the  serpent  thus  his  curse  let  fall : 

"  Because  thou  hast  done  this,  thou  art  accursed     176 

Above  all  cattle,  each  beast  of  the  field ; 

Upon  thy  belly  grovelling  thou  shalt  go. 

And  dust  shalt  eat  all  the  days  of  thy  life. 

Between  thee  and  the  woman  I  will  put 

Enmity,  and  between  thine  and  her  seed ;  180 

Her  seed  shall  bruise  thy  head,  thou  bruise  his  heel.** 

So  spake  this  oracle,  then  verified 
When  Jesus,  son  of  Mary,  second  Eve, 
Saw  Satan  fall  like  lightning  down  from  heaven, 
Prince  of  the  air ;  then  rising  from  his  grave  185 

Spoiled  principalities  and  powers,  triumphed 
In  open  show,  and  with  ascension  bright 
Captivity  led  captive  through  the  air. 
The  realm  itself  of  Satan  long  usurped, 
Whom  he  shall  tread  at  last  under  our  feet ;  190 

Even  he  who  now  foretold  his  fatal  bruise, 
And  to  the  woman  thus  his  sentence  turned : 
"  Thy  sorrow  I  will  greatly  multiply 
By  thy  conception ;  children  thou  shalt  bring 

167.  end^  purpose,  object.  184.   Saw    Satan  fall.     "  And 

169.  More  to  know,  that  \s.i\xa,i  he    stiid    unto    them,   I    behe)4 

Satan  was  the  real  tempter.  Satan    as    lightning    fall     from 

171.  at  last,  finally.  heaven."     Luke  x.  18. 

17S.    judged  as   then  best,  con-  188.    Captivity  led  captivt.  S«« 

eidered  to  be  best  at  that  time.  Ephesians  iv.  8. 

176    See  Genesis  iii.  14,  15.  192.  See  Genesis  iii.  16. 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  295 

In  soiTOw  forth,  and  to  thy  husband's  will  196 

Thine  shall  submit ;  he  over  thee  shall  rule." 

On  Adam  last  thus  judgment  he  pronounced  : 
■'Because  thou  hast  hearkened  to  the  voice  of  th^ 

wife, 
And  eaten  of  the  tree  concerning  which  19e 

[  charged  thee,  saying,  '  Thou  shalt  not  eat  thereof,' 
Cursed  is  the  ground  for  thy  sake ;  thou  in  sorrow 
Shalt  eat  thereof  all  the  days  of  thy  life ; 
Thorns  also  and  thistles  it  shall  bring  thee  forth 
Unbid  ;  and  thou  shalt  cat  the  herb  of  the  field ; 
In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread,  205 

Till  thou  return  unto  the  ground  ;  for  thou 
Out  of  the  ground  wast  taken  :  know  thy  birth. 
For  dust  thou  art,  and  shalt  to  dust  return." 

So  judged  he  Man,  both  Judge  and  Saviour  sent, 
And  the  instant  stroke  of  death  denounced  that  day 
Removed  far  off;  then,  pitying  how  they  stood        211 
Before  him  naked  to  the  air  that  now 
Must  suffer  change,  disdained  not  to  begin 
Thenceforth  the  form  of  servant  to  assume  ; 
As  when  he  washed  his  servants'  feet,  so  now,  216 

As  father  of  his  family,  he  clad 
Tlieir  nakedness  with  skins  of  beasts,  or  slain, 
Or  as  the  snake  with  }'outhful  coat  repaid ; 
And  thought  not  much  to  clothe  his  enemies : 
Nor  he  their  outvvard  only  with  the  skins  220 

197.   On  Adam  last.     See  Gen-  219.  j7o«  wi«r/;,  it  not  toomuch 

eeis  iii.  17-19.  220-224.  And  he  not  only  cov- 

210.   instant,  immediate.  —  de-  ered  from  liis  Father's  sight  their 

»oj/ncef/ is  a  participle.  outward  nakedness  with  the  skins 

214.  See  Philippians  ii.  7.  of  beasts,   but  he   also   covered 

215.  As  when.    See  John   xiii.  their  inward   nakedness,   which 
V-IG.  was  much  more  shameful,  array- 

217.  or,  whether.  ing  it  with  his  robe  of  righteous- 

218.  Or  anew  provided,  like  the    ness      See  Isaiah  Ixi.  10. 
sanke,  with  youthful  coat. 


296  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X, 

Of  beasts,  but  inward  nakedness  much  more 

Opprobrious  with  his  robe  of  righteousness 

Arraying,  covered  from  his  Father's  sight. 

To  him  with  swift  ascent  he  up  returned, 

Into  his  bhssful  bosom  reassumed  224 

In  glory  as  of  old;  to  him  appeased 

All,  though  all-knowing,  what  had  passed  with  man 

Recounted,  mixing  intercession  sweet. 

Meanwhile,  ere   thus  was  sinned   and  judged  on 
earth. 
Within  the  gates  of  Hell  sat  Sin  and  Death  23C 

In  counterview,  within  the  gates  that  now 
Stood  open  wide,  belching  outrageous  flame 
Far  into  Chaos,  since  the  Fiend  passed  through, 
Sin  opening,  who  thus  now  to  Death  began : 

"  O  son,  why  sit  we  here  each  other  viewing       235 
Idly,  while  Satan,  our  great  author,  thrives 
In  other  worlds  and  happier  seat  provides 
For  us  hi3  offspring  dear  ?     It  cannot  be 
But  that  success  attends  him  ;  if  mishap. 
Ere  this  he  had  returned  with  fury  driven  240 

By  his  avengers,  since  no  place  like  this 
Can  fit  his  punishment  or  their  revenge. 
Methinks  I  feel  new  strength  within  me  rise. 
Wings  growing,  and  dominion  given  me  large 
Beyond  this  deep  ;  whatever  draws  me  on,  241 

Or  sympathy,  or  some  connatural  force, 
Powerful  at  greatest  distance  to  unite 
With  secret  amity  thing's  of  like  kind 

226.  as  of  old.  See  John  xvii.  231.    In  counterview^  opposite 

5-  to  each  other;  face  to  face. 

229.    ivas   sinned  and  judged.  234.     Sin     opening.       See   II 

these  verbs  are  impersonal,  the  871-883. 

meaniag    being,    ere   thus   there  240.  had.,  would  have, 

were  C7i  ear^/j  Rin  and  judgment.  246.    Or,   whether. — connatu 
ral,  of  a  common  naf  are. 


0OOKX.]  PARADISE  LOST.  297 

By  secretest  conveyance.     Thou,  my  shade 

[nseparable,  must  with  me  along  ;  260 

For  Death  from  Sin  no  power  can  separate. 

But  lest  the  difficulty  of  passing  back 

Stay  his  return  perhaps  over  this  gulf 

Impassable,  impervious,  let  us  try 

Adventurous  work,  yet  to  thy  power  and  mine        266 

Not  unagreeable,  to  found  a  path 

Over  this  main  from  Hell  to  that  new  world 

Where  Satan  now  prevails,  a  monument 

Of  merit  high  to  all  the  infernal  host, 

Easing  their  passage  hence  for  intercourse  2G0 

Or  transmigration,  as  their  lot  shall  lead. 

Nor  can  I  miss  the  way,  so  strongly  drawn 

By  this  new-felt  attraction  and  instinct." 

Whom  thus  the  meagre  Shadow  answered  soon : 
"  Go  whither  fate  and  inclination  strong  265 

Leads  thee  ;  I  shall  not  lag  behind,  nor  err 
The  way,  thou  leading,  such  a  scent  I  draw 
Of  carnage,  prey  innumerable,  and  taste 
The  savor  of  death  from  all  things  there  that  live : 
Nor  shall  I  to  the  work  thou  enterprisest  270 

Be  wanting,  but  afford  thee  equal  aid." 

^So  saying,  Avith  delight  he  s^i]ffed-  the  smell 
Of  mortal  change  on  earth.     As  when  a  flock 
Of  ravenous  fowl,  though  many  a  league  remote, 
Against  the  day  of  battle  to  a  field  276 

Where  armies  lie  encamped  come  flying,  lured 
With  scent  of  living  carcasses  designed 

250.  7M(/5<,  must  go.  7«(OTn!«(o»,  either   for  passing  tfl 

254.    impervious,  without  way  and   fro,   or   for  removinj?   alto- 

hrough.  gether.  —  as    '.heir  lot  skall  leatl^ 

256.  unagreeable,  unsuitable.  as  shall  be  determined  for  them. 

257.  this  main.    See  245  ;  alao  266.  err,  mistjike. 

II.  8Sf>V910.  270.  enterprisest,  undertakest 

260, 261  .ybr  intercourse  or  tranS' 


298  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X. 

For  death  the  following  day  in  bloody  fight ; 

So  scented  the  grim  feature,  and  upturned 

His  nostril  wide  into  the  murky  air,  28<l 

Sagacious  of  his  quarry  from  so  far./ 

Then  both  from  out  Hell-gates  into  the  waste 

Wide  anarchy  of  Chaos  damp  and  dark 

Flew  diverse,  and  with  power  (their  power  was  great) 

Hovering  upon  the  waters,  what  they  met  285 

Solid  or  slimy,  as  in  raging  sea 

Tost  up  and  down,  together  crowded  drove 

From  each  side  shoaling  towards  the  mouth  of  Hell , 

As  when  two  polar  winds,  blowing  adverse 

Upon  the  Cronian  sea,  together  drive  29^) 

Mountains  of  ice,  that  stop  the  imagined  way 

Beyond  Petsora  eastward  to  the  rich 

Cathaian  coast.     The  aggregated  soil 

Death  with  his  mace  petrific,  cold  and  dry, 

As  with  a  trident,  smote,  and  fixed  as  firm  295 

As  Delos  floating  once  ;  the  rest  his  look 

Bound  with  Gorgonian  rigor  not  to  move, 

And  with  asphaltic  slime  :  broad  as  the  gate, 

Deep  to  the  roots  of  Hell  the  gathered  beach 

279.  feature,    form    or    shape  Cathay,  which  was  a  name  given 

indistinct.    See  II.  666-673.  to  the  rich  countries  in  the  east 

281.   Sagacious  of  his  quarry,  or  southeast  of  Asia.     The  coast 

scenting  his  prey  or  game.  of  China  is  probably  here  meant<* 

284.  diverse  in  different  direc-  —  the  aggregated  soil,  the  s6il 
tions.  thus  together  crowded. 

285.  what,  whatever.  294.  petrijic,  turning  to  stone. 

287.  together  crowded,  pushed  — coW  «h/7  r/z-iy  seem  to  agree  with 
or  crowded  together  from  oppo-  soil.  He  made  the  soil  cold  and 
Bite  or  diverse  directions.  dry  by  smiting  it. 

288.  Growing  shallow  on  296.  ^5  Delos.  Delos  was  one 
each  side  as  it  was  heaped  up  in  of  the  group  of  islands  called 
the  middle  near  the  mouth  of  Cyclades,  in  the  ^gean  Sea, 
Hell.  which   is   fabled  to  have  floated 

290.  Cronian  sea,  Arctic  Ocean,     from  place  to  place  till  Zeus  (Ju 

291.  the  imagined  ivay,  the  piter)  fastened  it  with  chains  of 
supposed  northeast  passage  from  adamant  to  the  bottom  of  tht 
Europe  to  India.  sea.  —  the  rest,  all  that  had  no 

292.  Petsora.  Petchora,  a  river  been  thw?' fixed. 

and    gulf   in    the    northeastern        297.    Gorgonian.     See  II.  611 
part  of  Russia.  —  r/g-or,  stiffness. 

293.  Cathaian,    belonging  to 


BookX.]  paradise  lost.  299 

They  fastened,  and  the  mole  immense  wi ought  on 

3ver  the  foaming  deep  high-arched,  a  bridge  301 

Of  length  prodigious,  joining  to  the  wall 

Immovable  of  this  now  fenceless  world 

Forfeit  to  death  ;  from  hence  a  passage  broad, 

Smooth,  easy,  inoffensive,  doAvn  to  Hell.  301 

So,  if  great  thing-s  to  small  may  be  compared, 

Xerxes,  the  liberty  of  Greece  to  yoke. 

From  Susa  his  Memnonian  palace  high 

Came  to  the  sea,  and  over  Hellespont 

Bridging  his  way  Europe  with  Asia  joined,  310 

And    scourged   with    many  a    stroke   the    Indignant 

waves. 
Now  had  they  brought  the  work  by  wondroiis  art 
Pontifical,  a  ridge  of  pendent  rock. 
Over  the  vexed  abyss,  following  the  track 
Of  Satan  to  the  selfsame  place  where  he  316 

First  hghted  from  his  wing  and  landed  safe 
From  out  of  Chaos,  to  the  outside  bare 
Of  this  round  World  :   with  pins  of  adamant 
And  chains  they  made  all  fast,  too  fast  they  made 
And  durable  ;  and  now  in  little  space  320 

The  confines  met  of  empyrean  Heaven 
And  of  this  World,  and  on  the  left  hand  Hell 


300.  mole^  massive  work  or  lie  is  said  to  have  built  a  bridge 
mound  formed  iu  the  sea.—  of  boats  over  the  Hellespont,  the 
wrought  on,  continued.  sti-ait  which  separates  Asia  from 

301.  a  bridge.  See  II.  1023-  Europe.  AVhen  this  bridge  waa 
1033.  destroyed  by   a  storm,  he  com- 

303.  fenceless,  defenceless.  manded  a  hundred  lashes  to  be 

304.  a  passage  broad.  "  Broad  given  to  the  waves. 

is  the  way  that  leadeth   to  de-  313.    Pontifical,     tridge-mak- 

etruction."     Matthew  vii.  13.  ing. 

305    jn<»/ff-?i5n'e,  unobstructed.  314.  t^exed.    See  1  IT   429. 

See  VIII.  104.  317.  to  the  outside  bare.    See 

307-311.  In  the  year  4S0  before  III.  70-76.                                . 

Christ,    Xerxes,   king  of  Persia,  320.  in  little  space,  with  little 

aft«r  long  nreoaration,  set  forth  space  between.  See  11.1047-1053. 

to  conquer  Greece.  His  winter  resi-  322.   0/ this  World.     See  III 

dene  e  or  palace  was  Susa,  then  call-  418-422 
ed  by  the  Greeks  "  Memuoneiou." 


300  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X. 

With  long  reach  interposed ;  three  several  ways 

In  sight  to  each  of  these  three  places  led. 

And  now  their  way  to  Earth  tliey  had  descried,      826 

To  Paradise  first  tending,  when  behold 

Satan,  in  likeness  of  an  angel  bright, 

Betwixt  the  Centaur  and  the  Scorpion  steering 

His  zenith,  while  the  sun  in  Aries  rose : 

Disguised  he  came,  but  those  his  children  dear         33l 

Their  parent  soon  discerned,  though  in  disguise. 

He,  after  Eve  seduced,  unminded  slunk 

Into  the  wood  fast  by,  and,  changing  shape 

To  observe  the  sequel,  saw  his  guileful  act 

By  Eve,  though  all  unweeting,  seconded  335 

Upon  her  husband,  saw  their  shame  that  sought 

Vain  covertures ;  but  Avhen  he  saw  descend 

The  Son  of  God  to  judge  them,  terrified 

He  fled,  not  hoping  to  escape,  but  shun 

The  present ;  fearing,  guilty,  what  his  wrath  340 

Might  suddenly  inflict :  that  past,  returned 

By  night,  and  listening  where  the  hapless  pair 

Sat  in  their  sad  discourse  and  various  plaint, 

Thence  gathered  his  own  doom,  which  understood 

Not  instant  but  of  future  time,  with  joy  345 

And  tidings  fraught  to  Hell  he  now  returned, 

And  at  the  brink  of  Chaos,  near  the  foot 

Of  this  new  wondrous  pontifice,  unhoped 

324.  these  three  places,  Heaven,        333.  fast  by.   See  IX.  628. 
Hell,  and  the  World.  334.    the    sequel,    what    would 

327.  in  likeness.    "  Satan  him-    follow. 

eelf  is  transformed  into  an  angel        335.    unweeting,    unknowing, 
of  light."    2  Corinthians  xi.  14.      that  is,  not  aware  of  his  pres^ 

328,  329.     While  the  sun  was    ence. 

rising  in   the  sign    Aries,  Satan        339.  shun,  to  shun, 
was  steering  towards  his  zenith,        340-     The    present,   what_   the 

or  flying  upwards,   between  the  present  might  bring  upon  him. 
pigns     Scorpio    and     Sagittarius        341.  returned,  he  returned. 
the  Centaur)  far  in  advance  of       345.  not  instant,  as  not  imme 

the  sun.  diate. 

332.    after    Eve  seduced,  after        348.  pontifce,  bridge.    See  lim 

having       seduced       Eve.  —  un-  313. 
minded,  unnoticed. 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  301 

Met,  who  to  meet  him  came,  his  oflfspring  dear. 
Great  joy  was  at  their  meeting,  and  at  sight  8Q0 

Of  that  stupendous  bridge  his  joy  increased. 
Long  he  admiring  stood,  till  Sin,  his  fair 
Enchanting  daughter,  thus  the  silence  broke : 

"  O  parent,  these  are  thy  magnific  deeds, 
Thy  trophies,  which  thou  view'st  as  not  thine  own ; 
Thou  art  their  author  and  prime  architect :  3b6 

For  I  no  sooner  in  my  heart  divined, 
My  heart,  which  by  a  secret  harmony 
Still  moves  with  thine,  joined  in  connection  sweet, 
That  thou  on  earth  hadst  prospered,  which  thy  looks 
Now  also  evidence,  but  straight  I  felt,  361 

Though  distant  from  thee  worlds  between,  yet  felt 
That  I  must  after  thee  with  this  thy  son. 
Such  fatal  consequence  unites  us  three. 
Hell  could  no  longer  hold  us  in  her  bounds,  365 ' 

Nor  this  unvoyageable  gulf  obscure 
Detain  from  following  thy  Illustrious  track. 
Thou  hast  achieved  our  liberty,  confined 
Within  Hell-gates  till  now,  thou  us  impowered 
To  fortify  thus  far,  and  overlay  87C 

With  this  portentous  bridge  the  dark  abyss. 
Thine  now  is  all  this  world ;  thy  virtue  hath  won 
What  thy  hands  builded  not,  thy  wisdom  gained 
With  odds  what  war  hath  lost,  and  fully  avenged 
Our  foil  in  Heaven  ;  here  thou  shalt  monarch  reign, 
There  didst  not ;  there  let  him  still  victor  sway      376 
As  battle  hath  adjudged,  from  this  new  world 

349.  t/>Ao,  those  who.  368.  oj/r,  for  us. 

354.  magnific,  great ;  wonder-  369.  thou,  thou  hast. 

Jul.  370. /brij/y,  make  strong;  firm- 

861.  evidence,  show  ;  prove.  —  ly  build. 

itraight,  stTSiightwsLy.  372.  virtue,  prowess;  vigor. 

363.  must,  must  follow.  374.    With   odds,  with  adyan 

364.  consequence,  connection.  tage. 

366.   unvoyageable,  not  before        375.  foil,  defeat, 
to  be  travelled  over  or  crossed.  376.  victor,  as  victor 


302  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X. 

Retiring  by  liis  own  doom  alienated, 

And  henceforth  monarchy  with  thee  divide 

Of  all  things  parted  by  the  empyreal  bounds,  880 

His  quadrature,  from  thy  orbicular  world. 

Or  try  thee  now  more  dangerous  to  his  throne." 

Whom  thus  the  prince  of  darkness  answered  glad  : 
"  Fair  daughter,  and  thou  son  and  grandchild  both, 
High  proof  ye  now  have  given  to  be  the  race  385 

Of  Satan  (for  T  glory  in  the  name, 
Antagonist  of  Heaven's  almighty  king), 
Amply  have  merited  of  me,  of  all 
The  infernal  empire,  that  so  near  Heaven's  door 
Triumphal  with  triumphal  act  have  met,  890 

Mine  with  this  glorious  work,  and  made  one  realm 
Hell  and  this    world,  one  realm,  one  continent 
Of  easy  thoroughfare.      Therefore  while  I 
Descend  through  darkness  on  your  road  with  ease 
To  my  associate  powers,  them  to  acquaint  89& 

With  these  successes  and  with  them  rejoice, 
You  two  this  way,  among  these  numerous  orbs 
All  yours,  right  down  to  Paradise  descend ; 
There  dwell  and  reign  in  bliss,  thence  on  the  earth 
Dominion  exercise  and  in  the  air,  400 

Chiefly  on  man,  sole  lord  of  all  declared ; 
Him  first  make  sure  your  thrall,  and  lastly  kill. 
My  substitutes  I- send  ye,  and  create 
Plenipotent  on  earth,  of  matchless  might 
Issuing  from  me  :  on  your  joint  vigor  now  406 


378.  doom^  sentence  ;  decree.  388.  Amply  have  merited,  and 

881.  His  quadrature,  the  square  ye  have  much  deserved, 

of  Heaven  —  unflelermined  square  390.  Triiwiphal,  triumphal  act. 

or  round.   II.   1048.     "  And   the  391.  Mine,  my  work. 

city  lieth  four-square."     Revela-  393.  of  easy  thoroughfare,  easy 

tion  xxi.  16.  of  passage. 

382.   O,  try.,  or  let  him  try.  402.  thrall,  slave  ;  bondsman. 

386.    The  Hebrew  word  Satan  403.  My,  as  my. 

means  adversary.  404.  Plenipotent,  of  fixM'^ynx 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  L  OS  T.  303 

My  hold  of  this  new  kingdom  all  depends, 
Through  sin  to  death  exposed  by  my  exploit. 
If  your  joint  power  prevail,  the  affairs  of  Hell 
No  detriment  need  fear  ;  go,  and  bo  strong." 

So  saying,  he  dismissed  them  ;  they  with  speed  4lii 
Their  course  through  thickest  constellations  held, 
Spreading  their  bane  ;  the  blasted  stai-s  looked  wan, 
And  planets,  planet-struck,  real  eclipse 
Then  suffered.     The  other  way  Satan  went  down 
The  causey  to  Hell-gate  ;  on  either  side  415 

Disparted  Chaos  overbuilt  exclaimed. 
And  with  rebounding  surge  the  bare  assailed 
That  scorned  his  indignation  :  through  the  gate, 
Wide  open  and  unguarded,  Satan  passed. 
And  all  about  found  desolate  ;  for  those  420 

Appointed  to  sit  there  had  left  their  charge, 
Flown  to  the  upper  world ;  the  rest  were  all 
Far  to  the  inland  retired,  about  the  walls 
Of  Pandemonium,  city  and  proud  seat 
Of  Lucifer,  so  by  allusion  called  426 

Of  that  bright  star  to  Satan  paragoned. 
There  kept  their  watch  the  legions,  while  the  grand 
In  council  sat,  solicitous  what  chance 
Might  intercept  their  emperor  sent ;  so  he 
Departing  gave  command,  and  they  observed.  480 

As  when  the  Tartar  from  his  Russian  foe 


406.  all,  entirely  ;  wholly.  420.  those,  Sin  and  Deatn. 

412.  bane,  poison  ;  evil  influ  424.    Pandemonium.      See     I. 
ence.  756. 

413.  Astrologers     pretended  425.  Lucifer.    See  V.  760. 
that  the  planets  in  certain  as-  426    that  bright  star.    See  VII. 
pects    exercised    an   eyil    influ-  131-133. —pam°-orier/,  compared. 
»nce,   under    which    persons    or  427    grand,  grandees. 

Ihings   wasted  away  ;  they  were  428.    solicitous     what     chance. 

lhen°said  to  be  planet-struck.  anxious  lest  some  chance. 

415.  caM5fy,  causeway.  430.  Departing  gave  command 

416.  exclaimed,  clamored.  See  II.  4G2-465.  —  observed,  obey 
418.  the  gate.    See  II.  643-649.  ed. 


304  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  A 

By  Astracan  over  the  snoAvy  plains 

Retires,  or  Bactrian  Sophi  from  the  horn 

Of  Turkish  crescent  leaves  all  waste  beyond 

The  realm  of  Aladule  in  his  retreat  iSS 

To  Tauris  or  Casbeen ;  so  these,  the  late 

Heaven-banished  host,  left  desert  utmost  Hell 

Many  a  dark  league,  reduced  in  careful  watch 

Round  their  metropolis,  and  now  expecting 

Each  hour  their  great  adventurer  from  the  search    440 

Of  foreign  worlds.      He  through  the  midst  unmarked, 

In  show  plebeian  angel  militant 

Of  lowest  order,  passed  ;  and  from  the  door 

Of  that  Plutonian  hall  invisible 

Ascended  his  high  throne,  which  under  state  446 

Of  richest  texture  spread  at  the  upper  end 

Was  placed  in  regal  lustre.      Down  awhile 

He  sat,  and  round  about  him  saw  unseen  : 

At  last,  as  from  a  cloud,  his  fulgent  head 

And  shape  star-bright  appeared,  or  brighter,  clad  450 

With  what  permissive  glory  since  his  fall 

Was  left  him  or  false  glitter.     All  amazed 

At  that  so  sudden  blaze  the  Stygian  throng 

Bent  their  aspect,  and  whom  they  wished  beheld, 

432.  Astracan,  or  Astrachan,  a  436.  Tauris,  or  Tabriz,  is  a  city 
city  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  in  the  northwestern,  and  Gas- 
Volga,  on  the  north  side  of  the  beeii,  or  Casbiu,  is  a  city  in  the 
Caspian  Sea.  northern  part  of  Persia. 

433,  434.  Bactrian  Sophi,  one  438.  reduced,  drawn  back.  See 
of  the  titles  of  the  king  of  Persia  line  423. 

is    Sophi,  and  he  is  here  called        442.  show,  appearance. 
Bactrian  from  the  ancient  Bac-        444.    Plutonian,   infernal ;   be- 

tria,  which  is  now  a  part  of  Per-  longing  to  Pluto,  the  fabled  god 

Bia.      In   the   sixteenth   century  of  the  infernal  regions, 
there  was  continual  war  between        445.  state,  stately  canopy, 
the  Persians  and  the  Turks,  who        449.  fulgent,  shining, 
possessed   the  country   west  of        451.  permissive,  held  by  peiw 

Persia. — crescent,  standard  which  mission  and  not  of  right, 
bears  the  Crescent,  the  emblem        453.  Stygian.    See  II.  606. 
of  the  Turkish  power.  454.  Bent  their  aspect,  tum«4 

435.  Aladule  was  the  last  mon-  or  fixed  their  looks, 
arch  of  the  Greater  Armenia,  who        454      tvhom,    him    whom.   — 

had  been  defeated  and  slain  by  wished,  were  ■wishing  for. 
the  Turks. 


Book  X.]  JrAHADlSE  LOST  305 

Their  mighty  chief  returned  :  loud  was  the  cacolalm. 
Forth  rushed  in  haste  the  great  consulting  peers,     456 
Raised  from  their  dark  divan,  and  -svith  like  joy 
Congratulant  approached  him,  who  Avith  hand 
Silence,  and  with  these  words  attention,  won  : 

"  Thrones,     Dominations,      Princedoms,     Virtue, 
Powers  !  460 

For  in  possession  such,  not  only  of  right, 
I  call  ye  and  declare  ye  now,  returned 
Successful  beyond  hope  to  lead  }'e  forth 
Triumphant  out  of  this  infernal  pit 
Abominable,  accursed,  the  house  of  woe,  466 

And  dungeon  of  our  tyrant  :  now  possess 
As  lords  a  spacious  world,  to  our  native  Heaven 
Little  inferior,  by  my  adventure  hard 
With  peril  great  achieved.     Long  were  to  tell 
What  I  have  done,  what  suffered,  with  what  pain   470 
Voyaged  the  unreal,  vast,  unbounded  deep 
Of  horrible  confusion,  over  which 
By  Sin  and  Death  a  broad  way  now  is  paved 
To  expedite  your  glorious  march  ;  but  I 
Toiled  out  my  uncouth  passage,  forced  to  ride         476 
The  untractable  abyss,  plunged  in  the  womb 
Of  unoriginal  Night  and  Chaos  wild. 
That  jealous  of  their  secrets  fiercely  opposed 
My  journey  strange,  Avith  clamorous  uproar 
Protesting  Fate  supreme  ;  thence  how  I  found         480 
The  new-created  world,  which  fame  in  Heaven 
Long  had  foretold,  a  fabric  wonderful. 
Of  absolute  perfection  !  therein  man 


457.  divan,  council.    Di\aii  is        475.  uncouth.    See  II.  407. 
»n  Oriental  word.  476.  untractable,  untamable. 

459.  icon,  that  is,  won  silence        477.  vnnris:inal,  without  begin 

and  attention.  ninjr  or  birth. 

469.  Long  were,  long  would  it        480.  Protesting,  calling  to  wit- 
be.  ness  against  my  attemi)t. 

2a 


BOG  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X. 

Placed  in  a  paradise,  by  our  exile 
Made  liappy.     Him  by  fraud  I  have  seduced  489 

From  Ills  Creator,  and,  the  more  to  increase 
Your  wonder,  with  an  apple  !     He  thereat 
Offended  (worth  your  laughter  !)  hath  given  up 
Both  his  beloved  man  and  all  his  world 
To  Sin  and  Death  a  prey,  and  so  to  us,  490 

Without  our  liazard,  labor,  or  alarm, 
To  range  in  and  to  dwell,  and  over  man 
To  ride,  as  over  all  he  should  have  ruled. 
True  is,  me  also  he  hath  judged,  or  rather 
Me  not,  but  the  brute  serpent  in  whose  shape  495 

Man  I  deceived :  that  which  to  me  belongs 
Is  enmity,  which  he  will  put  between 
Me  and  mankind  ;  I  am  to  bruise  his  heel ; 
His  seed,  when  is  not  set,  shall  bruise  my  head. 
A  world  who  would  not  purchase  with  a  bruise,       500 
Or   much  more    grievous    pain  ?     Ye  have   the  ac- 
count 
Of  my  performance  :  what  remains,  ye  gods. 
But  up  and  enter  now  into  full  bliss  ?  " 

I  So  having  said,  awhile  he  stood,  expecting 
Their  universal  shout  and  high  applause  506 

To  fill  his  ear ;  when  contrary  he  hears 
On  all  sides  from  innumerable  tongues 
A  dismal  universal  hiss,  the  sound 
Of  public  scorn :  he  wondered,  but  not  long 
Had  leisure,  wondering  at  himself  now  more  ;  610 

His  visage  drawn  he  felt  to  sharp  and  spare, 
His  arms  clung  to  his  ribs,  his  legs  entwining 


48S.  worth,  this  is  well  worth,  503.  But  up,  but  to  soar  up. 

tir  worthy  of.  512.  clung,  pressed  or  squeezed 

494.   2'riie  is,  true  it  is  that.  —  He  felt  his  arms  pressed  to  his 

kat/t  judged.     See  hues  171-181.  ribs. 

499.  ^o/ien  is  not  set^  the  time 
b  not  appointed 


Book  X.]  PARADISE   LOST.  307 

Each  other,  till  supplanted  down  he  fell 

A  monstrous  serpent  on  his  belly  prone, 

Reluctant,  but  in  vain  ;  a  greater  power  gig 

Now  ruled  him,  punished  in  the  shape  he  sinned, 

According  to  his  doom.      He  Avould  have  spoke, 

But  hiss  for  hiss  returned  with  forked  tongue 

To  forked  tongue  ;  for  now  were  all  transformed 

Alike,  to  serpents  all,  as  accessories  520 

To  his  bold  riot  J  dreadful  was  the  din 

Of  hissing  through  the  hall,  thick  swarming  now 

With  complicated  monsters  head  and  tail, 

Scorpion,  and  asp,  and  amphisbaena  dire. 

Cerastes  horned,  hydrus,  and  elops  drear,  525 

And  dipsas  (not  so  thick  swarmed  once  the  soil 

Bedropt  with  blood  of  Gorgon,  or  the  isle 

Ophiusa)  ;  but  still  greatest  he  the  midst. 

Now  dragon  grown  (larger  than  whom  the  sun 

Ingendered  in  the  Pythian  vale  on  slime,  530 

Huge  Python),  and  his  power  no  less  he  seemed 

Above  tlie  rest  still  to  retain.      They  all 

Him  followed,  issuing  forth  to  the  open  field, 

Where  all  yet  left  of  that  revolted  rout. 

Heaven-fallen,  in  station  stood  or  just  array,  5.35 

513.  supjilanted,   overthrown;    word  which  means  abounding  in 
tripped  up  by  the  heels.  snakes,  and  is  said  to  have  been 

514.  prone^  lying  with  the  face    applied  to  a  small  island  in  the 
downward.  Mediterranean,  which  was  aban- 

515.  Reluctant,      struggling    doned  by  its  inhabitants  on  ac- 
against  the  change.  count    of  the  great  number  of 

521.    riot,  sedition  ;  insurrec-  serpents  that  infested  it. 

tion.  529.    Dragon.     "The   dragon, 

523.  complicated,  intertwined.  that  old   serpent,   which  is   the 

624.  ampliisbcBna,  a  species  of  Devil,  and  Satin."     Rev.  xx.  2. 

tar  pent,  formerly  deemed  poison-  — ivliom,  he  whom.  —  the   Sun^ 

ous  or  fJire.  Apollo  or  Phoebus. 

525.    Cerastes,    hydrus    (water-  531.   Py//io«  was  a /n/§'e  serpent 

fnake),    elops    and    dipsas    are  produced  from  the  mud  or  slime 

uames  of  different  kinds  of  ser-  left  on  the  earth  after  the  deluge 

{►ents.  of  Deucalion.  —  7io  less,  not  less 

627.     Bedropt,     sprinkled.   —  than  his  superior  size. 

vorgon.     See  II.  611.  535.    in  station,  on  guard. 

528    Ophiusa.    This  is  a  Greek  just  array,  military  order 


508  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X 

Sublime  with  expectation  when  to  sec 

In  triumph  issuing  forth  their  glorious  chief: 

They  saw,  but  other  sight  instead,  a  crowd 

Of  ugly  serpents  !  horror  on  them  fell, 

And  horrid  sympathy  ;  for  what  they  saw  510 

They  felt  themselves  now  changing  :  down  their  arras, 

Down  fell  both  spear  and  shield,  down  they  as  fast, 

And  the  dire  hiss  renewed,  and  the  dire  form 

Catched  by  contagion,  like  in  punishment 

As  in    their   crime.     Thus    was    the    applause    they 

meant  545 

Turned  to  exploding  hiss,  triumph  to  shame, 
Cast  on  themselves  from  their  own  mouths.     There 

stood 
A  grove  hard  by,  sprung  up  with  this  their  change, 
His  will  who  reigns  above,  to  aggravate 
Their  penance,  laden  with  fair  fruit  like  that  550 

Which  grew  in  Paradise,  the  bait  of  Eve 
Used  by  the  Tempter :  on  that  prospect  strange 
Their  earnest  eyes  they  fixed,  imagining 
For  one  forbidden  tree  a  multitude 
Now  risen,  to  work  them  further  woe  or  shame  ;      555 
Tet  parched  with  scalding  thirst  and  hunger  fierce, 
Though  to  delude  them  sent,  could  not  abstain, 
But  on  they  rolled  in  heaps,  and  up  the  trees 
Climbing,  sat  thicker  than  the  snaky  locks 
That  curled  Magaara^greedily  they  plucked  560 

The  fruitage,  fair  to  sight  like  that  which  grew 
Near  that  bituminous  lake  where  Sodom  flamed; 

536.  sublime^  uplifted.  561.    like  that,  like   the  fruit 

541.  changing,  changing  into.  called  Apple  of  Sodom,  which  re- 

546.  exploding,  driving,  as   it  sembles  a  smooth  orange  or  yel- 

rere,  from  the  stage.  low  apple.     It  is  fair  to  the  sight, 

549.  His  icill,  by  will  of  him.  but  contains  only  air  and  seeda 

557.   Though,  though  this  was.  within.      It  was    formerly  sup- 

-  couid  not,  they  could  not.  posed  to  be  filled  with  ashes. 

560.     MegcRra  was  one  of  the  562.  that  bituminous  lake,  Van 

jhree    Fui-ies    whose     hair    was  Dead  Sea. —  ivhere  Sodom  flamed 

twined  with   serpents.  —  curled,  See  Genesis  xix.  24-28. 

Tormod  the  curls  of. 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  309 

This,  more  delusive,  not  the  touch,  but  taste 

Deceived  ;  they,  fondly  thinking  to  allay 

Their  appetite  with  gust,  instead  of  fruit  66S 

Chewed  bitter  ashes,  Avhich  the  offended  taste 

With  spattering  noise  rejected :  oft  they  assayed, 

Hunger  and  thirst  constraining  ;  drugged  as  oft, 

With  hatefullest  disrelish  writhed  their  jaAvs 

With  soot  and  cinders  filled  i  so  oft  they  fell  570 

Into  the  same  illusion,  not  as  man 

Whom  they  triumphed  once  lapsed.     Thus  were  they 

plagued 
And  worn  with  famine  long  and  ceaseless  hiss, 
Till  their  lost  shape,  permitted,  they  resumed  ; 
Yearly  enjoined,  some  say,  to  undergo  575 

This  annual  humbling  certain  numbered  days 
To  dash  their  pride  and  joy  for  man  seduced. 
However,  some  tradition  they  dispersed 
Among  the  heathen  of  their  purchase  got, 
And  fabled  how  the  serpent,  whom  they  called        680 
Ophion,  with  Eurynome  (the  wide 
Encroaching  Eve  perhaps),  had  first  the  rule 
Of  high  Olympus,  thence  by  Saturn  driven 
And  Ops,  ere  yet  Dictaean  Jove  was  born. 

Meanwhile  in  Paradise  the  hellish  pair  685 

Too  soon  arrived  ;   Sin  there  in  power  before, 
Once  actual,  now  in  body,  and  to  dwell 
Habitual  habitant ;  behind  her  Death, 


565.  gust,  pleasant  taste.  his  wife  Rhea,  or  Ops.    Jupiter 

569.  lorithed^  they  writhed.  or  Jove  was  called  Dictgean  from 

572.  triutnphed,      triumphed  Dicte,  a  mountain  in  Crete,  where 

over.  —  once    lapsed,    only    once  he  was  brought  up.     The  Greek 

&llen.  name  Eurynome  means  wide- 
old,  certain  ni(7nbered  days,  for  encroaching. 

ft.  certain  number  of  days.  587.   Once  actual,  having  been 

579-584.  0/)/h'o?i  was  one  of  the  there  once  in  act,  and  therefore 

Tit  ins,  who  reigned,    with  Eury-  in  potcer,  though  not  in  per»DQ, 

nome,  over    Olympus,  till   they  or  in  body. 

Here  conquered  by  Saturn  and 


310  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  A. 

Close  following  pace  for  pace,  not  mounted  yet 

On  his  pale  horse  ;  to  whom  Sin  thus  began  :  690 

"  Second  of  Satan  sprung,  all-conquering  Death, 
What    think'st    thou    of    our    empire    now,    though 

earned 
With  travail  difficult  ?  not  better  far 
Than    still    at     Hell's    dark    threshold    to    have    sat 

watch, 
Unnamed,  undreaded,  and  thyself  half-starved  ?  "   595 

Whom  thus  the  Sin-born  monster  answered  soon : 
"  To  me,  who  with  eternal  famine  pine, 
Ahke  is  Hell,  or  Paradise,  or  Heaven ; 
There  best  where  most  with  ravin  I  may  meet  ; 
Which  here,  though  plenteous,  all  too  little  seems    600 
To  stuff'  this  maw,  this  vast  unhide-bound  corpse." 

To  whom  the  incestuous  mother  tluls  replied  : 
"  Thou  therefore  on  these  herbs  and  fruits  and  flow- 
ers 
Feed  first ;  on  each  beast  next,  and  fish  and  fowl, 
No  homely  morsels  ;  and  whatever  thing  605 

The  scythe  of  Time  mows  down  devour  unspared ; 
Till  I  in  man  residing  through  the  race. 
His  thoughts,  his  looks,  words,  action,  all  infect, 
And  season  him  thy  last  and  sweetest  prey." 

This  said,  they  both  betook  them  several  ways,  61C 
Both  to  destroy,  or  unimmortal  make 
All  kinds,  and  for  destruction  to  mature 
Sooner  or  later  ;  which  the  Almighty  seeing, 

590.  his  rfi^e  horse.     "And  I        599.  there  6es«,  there  is  it  best 

looked,  and  behold,  a  pale  hor.se  ;  —  ravin,  prey,  rapine, 
sind  his   name   that  sat  on  him        601.  unhide-bound,  capacious 

was  Death."     Eevelatiou  vi.  8.  not  bound  as  with  a  close  skin 

693.  not  better,  is  it  not  better.  —  corpse,  body  (of  Death). 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  311 

From  liis  transcendent  seat  the  saints  among, 

To  those  bright  Orders  uttered  thus  his  voice  :        6111 

"  See  with  what  heat  these  dogs  of  Hell  advance 
To  waste  and  havoc  yonder  world,  which  I 
So  fair  and  good  created,  and  had  still 
Kept  in  that  state,  had  not  the  folly  of  man 
Let  in  these  wasteful  furies,  who  impute  620 

Folly  to  me  (so  doth  the  prince  of  Hell 
And  his  adherents),  that  with  so  much  ease 
I  suffer  them  to  enter  and  possess 
A  place  so  heavenly,  and  conniving  seem 
To  gratify  my  scornful  enemies,  625 

That  laugh,  as  if  transported  with  some  fit 
Of  passion  I  to  them  had  quitted  all 
At  random  yielded  up  to  their  misrule. 
And  knew  not  that  I  called  and  drew  them  thither, 
My  hell-hounds,  to  lick  up  the  draff  and  filth  630 

Which  man's  polluting  sin  with  taint  hath  shed 
On  what  was  pure; till  crammed  and  gorged,  nigh  burst, 
With  sucked  and  glutted  offal,  at  one  sling 
Of  thy  victorious  arm,  Avelhpleasing  Son, 
Both  Sin  and  Death,  and  yawning  grave  at  last,     635 
Through  Chaos  hurled,  obstruct  the  mouth  of  Hell 
Forever,  and  seal  up  his  ravenous  jaws. 
Then  heaven  and  earth  renewed  shall  be  made  pure 
To  sanctity  that  shall  receive  no  stain  ;  639 

Till  then  the  curse  pronounced  on  both  precedes." 

He  ended,  and  the  heavenly  audience  loud 
Sung  hallelujah,  as  the  sound  of  seas, 
Through  multitude  that  sung  :  "  Just  are  thy  ways, 

618.  Aa^/,  should  have.  Qi2.  hallelujah.     The  meaniug 

631.  with  taint,  carrying  with  of  this  word  is,  "  Praise  ye  the 

'It  taiat.  Lord." 

633.  glutted,  swallowed.  G43.   Through,  by  n.-ason  of.  — 

638.    renewed.      See    2    Peter  Just  are  thy  ways.    See  Revela- 

lii,  13  i  also  Book  III.  333-338.  tion  xv.  3 


312  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X, 

Righteous  arc  thy  decrees  on  all  tliy  works ; 

Who  can  extenuate  thee  ?     Next,  to  the  Son,         3tf 

Destined  restorer  of  mankind,  by  whom 

New  heaven  and  earth  shall  to  the  ages  rise, 

Or  down  from   Heaven    descend."  —  Such  was  their 

song. 
While  the  Creator,  calling  forth  by  name 
His  mighty  angels,  gave  them  several  charge,         G50 
As  sort(;d  best  with  present  things.      The  sun 
Had  first  his  precept  so  to  move,  so  shine. 
As  might  affect  the  earth  with  cold  and  heat 
Scarce  tolerable,  and  from  the  north  to  call 
Decrepit  winter,  from  the  south  to  bring  655 

Solstitial  summer's  heat.      To  the  blanc  moon 
Her  office  they  prescribed  ;  to  the  other  five 
Their  planetary  motions  and  aspects, 
In  sextile,  squai'C,  and  trine,  and  opposite 
Of  noxious  efficacy,  and  when  to  join  660 

In  synod  unbenign  ;  and  taught  the  fixed 

644.  Righteous.      See  Revela-  third  of  the  zodiac,  or  one  hun- 
tion  xvi.  7.  dred  and  twenty  degrees.     AVhen 

645.  extenuate^     diminish    in  tliey  are  in  opposition,  they  are 
honor  ;  weaken  in  power.  one  hundred  and  eighty  degrees 

648.  descend.      See  Revelation  from    each    other,    or    opposite 

xxi.  1,  2.  They  are  said  to  be  in  coujunc- 

650.  several  charge,  cliarge   to  tiou,  or  to  join,  when  they  meet 
each  ;  oflfice  to  be  severally  per-  in  the  same  part  of  the  zodiac, 
formed.  660.    Of  noxious  efficacy.     The 

651.  sorted  with,  fitted.  pretended    science    of   astrology 

652.  precept,  command.  taught   that   the  aspects  of    the 
656.  solstitial.     When  the  sun     planets  influenced  the  destiny  of 

la   in    the   northern   solstice,    or  human  beings.      If    the    aspect 

point  in  the  ecliptic  at  which  it  was  opposite,  tlieir  influence  waa 

ks  farthest  north  from  the  equa-  unbenign,   as    often   when    they 

tor,  it  is  the  height  of  summer  were  in  conjunction,  or  met  m 

to  the  northern   hemisphere.  —  synod. 

\lanr,,  white  or  pale.  661-664,   tlie  fixed,   the    fixed 

657  the  other  five.    See  V.  177.  stars.     The.se,   like   the   planets, 

658  ■6'31.  aspects,  their  situa-  were  supposed  to  act  upon  event? 
tion  with  regard  to  each  other,  on  earth,  and  to  shower  mnlii, 
^\''hen  in  sextile,  they  are  sepa-  nant  infiuence,  as  also  to  affect 
rated  bj'  one  sixth  of  the  zodiac,  the  air,  so  as  to  cause  tempestu 
or  sixty  degrees  ;  when  in  square,  oits  weather,  either  when  thej 
by  one  fourth  of  the  zodiac,  or  rose  or  set  with  the  sun 

ttinety  degrees ;  in  trine,  by  one 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  313 

Their  influence  malignant  when  to  shower, 

Which  of  them  rising  with  the  sun  or  felling 

Should  prove  tempestuous :  to  the  winds  they  set 

Their  corners,  when  with  bluster  to  oonfound  666 

Sea,  air,  and  shore ;  the  thunder  when  to  roll 

With  terror  through  the  dark  aerial  hall. 

Some  say,  he  bid  his  angels  turn  askance 

The  poles  of  Earth  twice  ten  degrees  and  more 

From  the  sun's  axk. ;  they  with  labor  pushed  670 

Oblique  the  centric  globe  :  some  say,  the  sun 

Was  bid  turn  reins  from  the  equinoctial  road 

Like  distant  breadth  to  Taurus  with  the  seven 

Atlantic  Sisters,  and  the  Spartan  Twins, 

Up  to  the  Tropic  Crab  ;  thence  down  amain  676 

By  Leo  and  the  Virgin  and  the  Scales 

As  deep  as  Capricorn,  to  bring  in  change 

Of  seasons  to  each  clime  ;  else  had  the  spring 

Perpetual  smiled  on  earth  with  vernant  flowers, 

Equal  in  days  and  nights,  except  to  those  680 

668-670,  turn  askance  the  poles  (that  is,  Castor  and  Pollux),  to 

of  Earth.    The  Earth's  axis  (here  Cancer,   the    tropic    Crab.      This 

supposed   to    have    been    before  was  its  farthest  northern  limit, 

parallel  to  that  of  the  Sun )  was  whence    it    descended     through 

turned  oblique  to  the  ecliptic,  so  Leo,     Virgo,     Libra     (where     it 

that  it  should  incline,  as  it  now  crossed   the   Equinoctial),    Scor- 

does,  twice  ten  rlpgrees  and  more,  pio    and    Sagittarius    to    Capri- 

This  inclination  of  the  axis  causes  comus,     its    farthest    southern 

the   variety   of    seasons    on    the  Uniit,    from    which    it   ascended 

Earth's  surface,  according  to  the  to  Aries.  —  Like-distant  breaitk. 

Copernican    System    of   Astron-  Compare  line  669.  —  Atlantic  Sis- 

omy,  which  was  fully  established  ters.  These  were  the  seven  daugh- 

in  Milton's  time  by  Galileo.  ters  of  Atlas,   who   were   trans- 

671-677,  the  centric  ^lobe.     The  lated  to  the  heavens,  where  they 

Earth,  in  the  old  (or  Ptolemaic)  form  the  cluster  called  the  Plei- 

Bvstem  of  Astronomy,  is  the  cen-  ades  or  Seven  Stars  (of  which  six 

tre  of  the  universe,  and  accord-  only  are  visible)  in  the  neck  ol 

Ing  to    that,  or  as  so7/ie  saij,  it  the    constellation    Taurus.  —  the. 

was   the    Sun    that  was  bid    to  Tropic  Crab.     When  the  Sun  ia 

change    its    course    among    the  in  the  sign  Cancer,  it  seems  to 

signs    of    the    zodiac,    so    as    to  turn   to   the    south  ;    bene*   the 

drive  its  chariot,  not,  as  before,  word  tropic,  from  a  Greek  word 

in  the  equinoctial  road,  but  by  as-  signifying  to  turn, 

tent  from  Aries  through  Taurus  679'    vernant,     belonging     tc 

and  Gemini,  t/ie    Spartan  livins  spring. 


314  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  JL 

Beyond  the  polar  circles  ;  to  them  day 

Had  unbenlgbted  shone,  while  the  low  sun, 

To  recompense  his  distance,  in  their  sight 

Flad  rounded  still  the  horizon,  and  not  known 

Or  east  or  west ;  which  had  forbid  the  snow  68i 

From  cold  Estotiland,  and  south  as  far 

Beneath  Magellan.     At  that  tasted  fruit 

The  sun,  as  from  Thyestean  banquet,  turned 

His  course  intended  ;  else  how  had  the  world 

Inhabited,  thougli  sinless,  more  than  now  69C 

Avoided  pinching  cold  and  scorching  heat  ? 

These  changes  in  the  heavens,  though  slow,  produced 

Like  change  on  sea  and  land,  sideral  blast, 

Vapor  and  mist  and  exhalation  hot. 

Corrupt  and  pestilent.      Now  from  the  north  696 

Of  Norumbega,  and  the  Samoed  shore, 

Bursting  their  brazen  dungeon,  armed  with  ice 

And  snow  and  hail,  and  stormy  gust  and  flaw, 

Boieas  and  Cascias  and  Argestes  loud 

682-687.  Had  wibenighted  cording  to  Grecian  mythology 
shone,  would  have  shone  with-  the  brother  of  Thyestes,  in  re- 
out  night.  But  for  the  iucli-  Tenge  for  wrongs  that  he  had 
nation  of  the  Earth's  axis,  the  received,  slew  the  two  sons  of 
Sun,  being  always  in  the  Equi-  Thyestes.  and  having  prepared  a 
noctial,  would  shine  from  pole  to  banquet  to  which  he  invited  his 
pole,  never  appearing  to  those  be-  brother,  placed  their  flesh  be- 
yond  the  polar  circles  high  above  fore  him. 

the   horizon,  while  at   the    pole  689.     else,    otherwise.  —  had, 

he  would  seem  to  move  round  in  would  have. 

the  horizon  without  either  risiug  690.     more     than     now.     any 

or  setting.  —  To  recompense  his  more  than  it  does  now. 

distance,  to   compensate  for  the  693.    sideral,   belonging    to   or 

lOmparative   want  of  light  and  produced  by  the  stars.     See  661- 

beat  occasioned  by  his  distance.  664. 

—  Or,  either.  —  which  had  for-  696.  Nor)nnhega,  a  part  of 
Md,  this  would  liave  forbidden  North  America,  probably  New 
or  prevented.  —  Estotiland  is  a  England  and  what  lay  west  of  it. 
name  formerly  applied  to  the  — the  Samoed  shore,  i\x&  north- 
northern  part  of  America,  near  ern  coast  of  Siberia,  which  is 
the  Arctic  Circle.  —  Beneath  Ma-  inhabited  by  wandering  tribes  oi 
eellam,  south  of  the  Straits  of  Samoiedes. 
MageUan.  699-702.     Boreas,    the    north 

687.  At  that  tasted  fruit,  when  wind  ;  Ccpxias,  the  northeast 
the  fruit  was  tast«id.  wind ;     Argestes,  the    northwes* 

688.  Thyestean  banquet.    Ac-    wind  |  Thrascias,  a  ijorth-nortljr 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  315 

And  Thrascias  rend  the  woods  and  seas  upturn ;     70Q 
With  adverse  blast  upturns  them  from  the  south 
Notus  and  Afer,  bLack  with  thunderous  clouds 
From  Serraliona  ;  thwart  of  these  as  fierce 
Forth  rush  the  Levant  and  the  Ponent  winds, 
Eurus  and  Zephyr,  with  their  lateral  noise,  706 

Sirocco  and  Libecchio.      Thus  began 
Outrage  from  lifeless  things  ;  but  Discord  first, 
Daughter  of  Sin,  among  the  irrational 
Death  introduced  through  fierce  antipathy  :  709 

Beast  now  with  beast  gan  war,  and  fowl  with  fowl, 
And  fish  with  fish ;  to  graze  the  herb  all  leaving 
Devoured  each  other,  nor  stood  much  in  awe 
Of  man,  but  fled  him,  or  with  countenance  grim 
Glared  on  him  passing.      These  were  from  without 
The  growing  miseries  which  Adam  saw  715 

ALready  in  part,  though  hid  in  gloomiest  shade, 
To  sorrow  abandoned,  but  worse  felt  within, 
And  in  a  troubled  sea  of  passion  tost. 
Thus  to  disburden  sought  with  sad  complaint : 

"  O  miserable  of  happy  !  is  this  the  end  720 

Of  this  new  glorious  world,  and  me  so  late 
The  glory  of  that  glory,  who  now,  become 
Accursed  of  blessed,  hide  me  from  the  flice 
Of  God,  whom  to  behold  was  then  my  height 
Of  happiness  ?  yet  Avell,  if  here  would  end  726 

The  misery  ;  I  deserved  it,  and  would  bear 

west    winfl ;    Notus,    the    south  and  southwest  winds,  the  lateral 

wind  ;  Afer,  the  southwest  wind  noise  of  Eurus  and  Zephyr^  th* 

coming  from  Africa.  east  and  west  wipuds. 

703.   Serraliona,  Sierra  Leone.         710.  gan  war.     See  VI.  60. 
—  thivart  of,  SlCvo&s  \  at  right  an-        711.  having,  CQAsm^. 
gles  with.  719.  to  disburden,  to  relicTe  hlf 

704-706.  Levant,  BTist;  Ponent,  mii:.d. 
west.    These  are  from  the  Italian        720.  of,  from.    So  In  line  T23 
words  for  East  and  West,  moan-        721.  we,  of  me. 
ing  rising  and  setting.     Siiocco        725.  tcfi/,  it  would  be  well • 
l,nd  Libecchio^  are  the  southeast 


316  PARADISE  L  OS  T.  [Book  X. 

My  owa  deservlngs  ;  but  this  will  not  serve  ; 

All  that  I  eat  or  drink,  or  shall  beget, 

Is  propagated  curse.      O  voice  once  heard 

Delightfully,  '  Increase  and  multiply,'  780 

Now  death  to  hear !  for  what  can  I  increase 

Or  multiply,  but  curses  on  my  head  ? 

Who  of  all  ages  to  succeed,  but,  feeling 

The  evil  on  him  brought  by  me,  will  curse 

My  head  ?  —  III  fare  our  ancestor  impure  ;  735 

For  this  ice  may  tllank  Adam  !  but  his  thanks 

Shall  be  the  execration  ;  so,  besides 

Mine  OAvn  that  bide  upon  me,  all  from  me 

Shall  with  a  fierce  reflux  on  me  redound, 

On  me,  as  on  their  natural  centre,  light,  740 

Heavy  though  in  their  place.      O  fleeting'joys 

Of  Paradise,  dear  bought  with  lasting  woes  ! 

Did  I  request  thee,  Maker,  from  my  clay 

To  mould  me  man  ?  did  I  solicit  thee 

From  darkness  to  promote  me,  or  here  place  745 

In  this  delicious  garden  ?    As  my  will 

Concurred  not  to  my  being,  it  were  but  right 

And  equal  to  reduce  me  to  my  dust, 

Desirous  to  resign  and  render  back 

All  I  received,  unable  to  perform  "       750 

Thy  terms  too  hard,  by  which  I  was  to  hold 

The  good  I  sought  not.     To  the  loss  of  that, 

Sufficient  penalty,  why  hast  thou  added 

The  sense  of  endless  woes?  inexplicable 

729.     voice.     See  Genesis  i.  28.  centre.,  and  thus  being  in   their 

733.  of  all  ages  to  succeed.,  in  place.,  where,  according  to  natu- 

ftll  the  ages  that  shall  follow.  ral    laws,  they  should  have  no 

735.  lU  fare.,  woe  to.  weight,  the  weight  of  bodies  be- 

736.  his  thanks,  the  thanks  of  ing  only  their  tendency  to  the 
him  who  thus  curses  his  ances-  centre.  This  seems  to  be  the 
tor.  meaning,  though  it  is  not  very 

738.  all  fro7n  me,  all  the  curses  clear, 

resulting  to  others  from  my  sin.  748.     equal,     just.  —  reduce. 

Vil.    Heavy    though    in    their  bring  back. 

vlace,  weighing  heavily,  though  751.    2'hy  terms  too  hard.     Se* 

lighting  on    him,   their   natural  Matthew  xxv.  24,  25. 


BookX.]  paradise  lost.  317 

Thy  justice  seems  ;  yet,  to  say  truth,  too  Lite  756 

I  thus  contest  ;  then  should  have  been  refused 

Those  terms  whatever,  when  they  were  proposed  : 

Thou  didst  accept  them  ;  wilt  thou  enjoy  the  good, 

Tlien  cavil  the  conditions  ?      And  though  God 

Made  thee  without  thy  leave,  what  if  thy  son  703 

Prove  disobedient,  and  reproved  retort, 

Wlierefore  didst  tliou  beget  me  ?    I  sought  it  not :  — 

Wouldst  thou  admit  for  his  contempt  of  thee 

That  proud  excuse  ?     Yet  him  not  thy  election, 

But  natural  necessity,  begot.  766 

God  made  thee  of  choice  his  own,  and  of  his  own 

To  serve  him  ;  thy  reward  was  of  his  grace. 

Thy  punishment  then  justly  is  at  his  will. 

Be  it  so,  for  I  submit ;  his  doom  is  fair, 

That  dust  I  am  and  shall  to  dust  return :  770 

O  welcome  hour  whenever  !  why  delays 

His  hand  to  execute  what  his  decree 

Fixed  on  this  day  ?  why  do  I  overlive  ? 

AVhy  am  I  mocked  with  death,  and  lengthened  out 

To  deathless  pain  ?     How  gladly  Avould  I  meet       7V6 

Mortality  my  sentence,  and  be  earth 

Insensible  !  how  glad  would  lay  me  down 

As  in  my  mother's  lap  !  there  I  should  rest 

And  sleep  secure  ;  his  dreadful  voice  no  more 

Would  thunder  in  my  ears,  no  fear  of  worse  780 

To  me  and  to  my  offspiring  Avould  torment  me 

With  cruel  expectation.     Yet  one  doubt 

Pursues  me  still,  lest  all  I  oannot  die  ; 


757.  whatever,  whatever  they  771.    welcome  hour   xchencver, 
irere.  hour  welcome  wheuerer  it  may 

758.  Thou.     Adam  here    ad-  arrive. 

iresses  himself.  773.  on,  for  ;  to  take  place  on. 

759     cavil,  cavil   at;    quarrel  — over'ive,s\xv\i\f.-  this  day. 

»ith.  783.  lest  all  I  cannot  die,  that 

764.  election,  choice.  my  whole  being  is  not  mor^. 

766.   of  choice,  by  his  choice. 
of  his  own,  with  his  own  gifts. 


318.  PARA  VISE  L  OS  T.  [Book  X. 

Lest  that  pure  breath  of  life,  the  spirit  of  man 

Which  God  inspired,  cannot  together  perish  785 

With  this  corporeal  clod ;   then  in  the  grave, 

Or  in  some  other  dismal  place,  who  knoAvs 

But  I  shall  die  a  living  death  ?     O  thought 

Horrid,  if  true  !     Yet  why  ?  it  was  but  breath 

Of  life  that  sinned  :  Avhat  dies  but  what  had  life      790 

And  sin  ?  the  body  properly  hath  neither. 

All  of  me  then  shall  die  ;  let  this  appease 

The  doubt,  since  human  reach  no  further  knows. 

For  though  the  Lord  of  all  be  infinite, 

Is  his  wrath  also  ?     Be  it,  man  is  not  so,  795 

But  mortal  doomed.     How  can  he  exercise 

Wrath  without  end  on  man,  whom  death  must  end  ? 

Can  he  make  deathless  death  ?  that  were  to  make 

Strange  contradiction,  which  to  God  himself 

Impossible  is  held,  as  argument  800 

Of  weakness,  not  of  power.      Will  he  draw  out, 

For  anger's  sake,  finite  to  infinite 

In  punished  man,  to  satisfy  his  rigor 

Satisfied  never  ?  that  Avere  to  extend 

His  sentence  beyond  dust  and  Nature's  law,  806 

By  Avhich  all  causes  else  according  still 

To  the  reception  of  their  matter  act. 

Not  to  the  extent  of  their  own  sphere.     But  say 

That  death  be  not  one  stroke,  as  I  supposed. 

Bereaving  sense,  but  endless  misery  «10 

From  this  day  onward,  Avhich  I  feel  begun 

Both  in  me  and  without  me,  and  so  last 

To  perpetuity  —  ay  me  !  that  fear 

784.  breath  of  life.   See  Genesis  806.  all  causes  else,  ah  othet 

|i.  7.  causes. 

793.    human    reach,  the  reach  807.  the  reception  of  their  mat 

»f  human  thought.  ter,  what   the  matter  on  which 

795.  Be    it,    though    it    be ;  they    act  is    capable    of   receiy 
though  his  wrath  be  infinite.  ing. 

796.  mortal     doomed,      con-  810.    Bereaving,   taking    away 
temned  to  die  by  force. 


Book  X.]  PARADISE   LOST.  319 

Comes  tliundering  back  Avith  dreadful  revolution 
On  my  defenceless  head  ;  both  death  and  I  815 

Am  found  eternal,  and  incorporate  both  ; 
Nor  I  on  my  part  single,  in  me  all 
Posterity  stands  cursed  :  fair  patrimony 
That  I  must  leave  ye,  sons  !   Oh,  were  I  able 
To  waste  it  all  myself,  and  leave  ye  none  !  820 

So  disinherited,  how  would  ye  bless 
Me,  now  your  curse  !   Ah,  why  should  all  mankind 
For  one  man's  fault  thus  guiltless  be  condemned  — 
If  guiltless  ?  but  from  me  what  can  proceed 
But  all  corrupt,  both  mind  and  will  depraved,         825 
Not  to  do  only  but  to  will  the  same 
With  me  ?  how  can  they  then  acquitted  stand 
In  sight  of  God  ?     Him  after  all  disputes 
Forced  I  absolve ;  all  my  evasions  vain 
And  reasonings,  though  through  mazes,  lead  me  still 
But  to  my  own  conviction  :  first  and  last  831 

On  me,  me  only,  as  the  source  and  spring 
Of  all  corruption,  all  the  blame  lights  due  ; 
So  might  the  wrath  !     Fond  wish  !  couldst  thou  sup- 
port 
That  burden,  heavier  than  the  earth  to  bear,  835 

Than  all  the  world  much  heavier,  though  divided 
With  that  bad  woman  ?  Thus  what  thou  desir'st, 
And  what  thou  fear'st,  alike  destroys  all  hope 
Of  refuge,  and  concludes  thee  miserable 
Beyond  all  past  example  and  future,  840 

To  Satan  only  like,  both  crime  and  doom. 

0  conscience,  into  what  abyss  of  fears 

^nd  horrors  hast  thou  driven  me  ;  out  of  which 

1  find  no  way,  from  deep  to  deeper  plunged  !  " 

614.  revolution^  return  834.     So     might     the    wrath, 

816.    incorporate    both,    hound  wjuld  that  the  wrath  might  also 

together  as  in  one  body.  light  on  me. 

829.    Forced   I  absolve,   I   am  839.  concludes^  finally  judges 

forced  to  absolye.  841.  both,  both  as  to. 

883.  due^  deserved. 


320  PARADlSh  LObi  ^Mook  X. 

Thus  Adam  to  himself  lamented  loud  81S 

Through  the  still  night,  not  now,  as  ere  man  fell, 
Wholesome  and  cool  and  mild,  but  with  black  air 
Accompanied,  with  damps  and  ^dreadful  gloom, 
Which  to  his  evil  conscience  represented 
All  things  with  double  terror  :  on  the  ground  850 

Outstretched  he  lay,  on  the  cohl  ground,  and  oft 
Cui-sed  his  creation,  death  as  oft  accused 
Of  tardy  execution,  since  denounced 
The  day  of  his  offence.      "  Why  comes  not  death," 
Said  he,  "  with  one  thrice-acceptable  stroke  856 

To  end  me  ?  shall  truth  fail  to  keep  her  word. 
Justice  divine  not  hasten  to  be  just  ? 
But  death  comes  not  at  all,  justice  divine 
Mends  not  her  slowest  pace  for  prayers  or  cries. 

0  woods,  O  fountains,  hillocks,  dales,  and  bowers ! 
With  other  echo  late  I  taught  your  shades  861 
To  answer,  and  resound  far  other  song." 

Whom  thus  afflicted  when  sad  Eve  beheld. 
Desolate  where  she  sat,  approaching  nigh 
Sofl  words  to  his  fierce  passion  she  assayed  ;  865 

But  her  with  stern  regard  he  thus  repelled  : 

"  Out  of  my  sight,  thou  serpent !  that  name  best 
Befits  thee  with  him  leagued,  thyself  as  false 
And  hateful ;  nothing  wants,  but  that  thy  shape 
Like  his,  and  color  serpentine,  may  show  870 

Thy  inward  fraud,  to  warn  all  creatures  from  thee 
Henceforth  ;  lest  that  too  heavenly  form,  pretended 
To  hellish  falsehood,  snare  them.      But  for  thee 

1  had  persisted  happy,  had  not  thy  pride 

853    since  denounced,  since  it  869.  wanfs,  is  wanting, 

had  been  denounced.  871.  fraud,  guile. 

854.    The  day.     "In    the  day  ^12.  pretended  to,la.mxghe.toTQ- 

*hat  thou  eatest    thereof,   thou  spread   over.      This  is  from  th« 

ihalt  surely  die."  Gen.  ii.  17.  Latin    verb      "  prae-tendo,"     tc 

862.   far  of'ier  song.     See  IV.  stretch  before. 

720-735,  v.  144-208.  874.  had  persisted,  should  hay* 

865.  assayed,  tried  ;  offered.  continued. 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  321 

And  wandering  vanity,  when  least  was  safe,  875 

Rejected  my  forewarning,  and  disdained 

Not  to  be  trusted  ;  longing  to  be  seen, 

Though  by  the  Devil  himself,  him  overweening 

To  overreach,  but  with  the  serpent  meeting 

Fooled  and  beguiled  ;  by  him  thou,  I  by  thee,         880 

To  trust  thee  from  my  side,  imagined  wise, 

Constant,  mature,  proof  against  all  assaults, 

And  understood  not  all  Avas  but  a  show 

Rather  than  solid  virtue,  all  but  a  rib 

Crooked  by  nature,  bent,  as  now  appears,  886 

Moi-e  to  the  part  sinister,  from  me  drawn, 

Well  If  throAvn  out  as  supernumerary 

To  my  just  number  found.      Oh,  why  did  God, 

Creator  wise,  that  peopled  highest  Heaven 

With  spirits  mascuHne,  create  at  last  890 

This  novelty  on  earth,  this  fair  defect 

Of  nature,  and  not  fill  the  world  at  once 

With  men  as  angels  without  feminine, 

Or  find  some  other  way  to  generate 

Mankind  ?    This  mischief  had  not  then  befallen,     895 

And  more  that  shall  befell ;  Innumerable 

Disturbances  on  earth  through  female  snares. 

And  strait  conjunction  with  this  sex  :  for  either 

He  never  shall  find  out  fit  mate,  but  such 

As  some  misfortune  brings  him,  or  mistake  ;  900 

Or  whom  he  wishes  most  shall  seldom  gain. 

Through  her  perverseness,  but  shall  see  her  gained 

By  a  far  worse,  or  if  she  love,  withheld 

By  parents ;  or  his  happiest  choice  too  late 

Shall  meet,  already  linked  and  wedlock-bound         905 

875.  xohenleoit  was  safe,  xihen  886.  «n^5fer,  left.  See  VIII.  465 

it  was  least  safe.  Sinister  also  means  unlucky. 

878.    overweening,  conceitedly  bD9.  He,  the  man. 

thinking.  901.  whom,  her  whom . 

880.   by  him  thou,  I  by   thee.  905.    already,   when  be  is  al 

8«e  Genesis  iii.  12,  1-3.  ready. 
21 


S22  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  3 

To  a  fell  adversary,  liis  hate  or  shame : 

Which  infinite  calamity  shall  cause 

To  human  life,  and  household  peace  confound." 

He  added  not,  and  from  her  turned  :  but  Eve, 
Not  so  repulsed,    with   tears  that   ceased   not   flow- 
ing, 
And  tresses  all  disordered,  at  his  feet  9]  I 

Fell  humble,  and  embracing  them  besought 
His  peace,  and  thus  proceeded  in  her  plaint : 

"  Forsake  me  not  thus,  Adam !  witness  Heaven 
What  love  sincere  and  reverence  in  my  heart  915 

I  bear  thee,  and  unweeting  have  offended, 
Unhappily  deceived  :  thy  suppliant 
I  beg,  and  clasp  thy  knees  ;  bereave  me  not. 
Whereon  I  live,  thy  gentle  looks,  thy  aid. 
Thy  counsel,  in  this  uttermost  distress,  920 

My  only  strength  and  stay  :  forlorn  of  thee, 
Whither  shall  I  betake  me,  where  subsist  ? 
While  yet  we  live,  scarce  one  short  hour  perhaps, 
Between  us  two  let  there  be  peace  ;  both  joining, 
As  joined  in  injuries,  one  enmity  926 

Against  a  foe  by  doom  express  assigned  us, 
That  cruel  serpent.      On  me  exercise  not 
Thy  hatred  for  this  misery  befallen. 
On  me  already  lost,  me  than  thyself 
More  miserable  ;  both  have  sinned,  but  thou,  980 

Against  God  only,  I  against  God  and  thee. 
And  to  the  place  of  judgment  will  return. 
There  with  my  cries  importune  Heaven,  that  all 
The  sentence,  from  thy  head  removed,  may  light 

913.  peace,  pardon.  921.  forlorn,  deprived. 

QIQ.  univeeting.     See  line  335.         92'i,  92b.  joining  one  e7imity. 
919.  of   thy    gentle  looks,   on        933.  importune,  importunately 

irhich  I  live,  or  of  thy  aid.  beseech. 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  323 

On  mc,  sole  cause  to  thee  of  all  this  woe  ;  835 

Me,  me  only,  just  object  of  his  ire." 

She  ended  weeping,  and  her  lowly  plight, 
Immovable  till  peace  obtained  from  fault 
Acknowledged  and  deplored,  in  Adam  wrought 
Commiseration  ;  soon  his  heart  relented  940 

Towards  her,  his  life  so  late  and  sole  delight, 
Now  at  his  feet  submissive  in  distress. 
Creature  so  fair  his  reconcilement  seeking. 
His  counsel  whom  she  had  displeased,  his  aid  : 
As  one  disarmed,  his  anger  all  he  lost,  945 

And  thus  with  peaceful  words  upraised  her  soon  : 

"  Unwary,  and  too  desirous,  as  before 
So  now,  of  what  thou  know'st  not,  who  desir'st 
The  punishment  all  on  thyself ;  alas  ! 
Bear  thine  own  first,  ill  able  to  sustain  950 

His  full  wrath,  whose  thou  feel'st  as  yet  least  part, 
And  my  displeasure  bear'st  so  ill.      If  prayei"S 
Could  alter  high  decrees,  I  to  that  place 
Would  speed  before  thee,  and  be  louder  heard, 
That  on  my  head  all  might  be  visited,  955 

Thy  frailty  and  infirmer  sex  forgiven. 
To  me  committed  and  by  me  exposed. 
But  rise ;  let  us  no  more  contend,  nor  blame 
Each  other,  blamed  enough  elsewhere,  but  strive, 
In  offices  of  love,  how  we  may  lighten  960 

Each  other's  burden  in  our  share  of  woe  ; 
Since  this  day's  death  denounced,  if  aught  I  see, 
Will  prove  no  sudden  but  a  slow-paced  evil, 
A  long  day's  dying  to  augment  our  pain. 
And  to  our  seed  (O  hapless  seed  !)  derived."  955 

938.    obtained    should  be  ob-     or  simply,  of  which.  —  least^hni 
ained.  the  leiist. 

951.  whose,  of  whose  wrath;        953.  to  that  place.  See  Une  1086 
•     9t55.  derived,  communicated. 


324  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X 

To  whom  thus  Eve,  recovering  heart,  replied: 
"  Adam,  by  sad  experiment  I  know 
How  little  weiglit  my  words  with  thee  can  find, 
Fqund  so  erroneous  ;  thence  by  just  event 
Found  so  unfortunate  :   nevertheless,  97^ 

Restored  by  thee,  vile  as  I  am,  to  place 
Of  new  acceptance,  hopeful  to  regain 
Thy  love,  the  sole  contentment  of  my  heart, 
Living  or  dying,  from  thee  I  will  not  hide 
What  thoughts  in  my  uncpilet  breast  are  risen,        976 
Tending  to  some  relief  of  our  extremes, 
Or  end,  though  shaip  and  sad,  yet  tolerable, 
As  in  our  evils,  and  of  easier  choice. 
If  care  of  our  descent  perplex  us  most, 
Which  must  be  born  to  certain  woe,  devoured         980 
By  Death  at  last  (and  miserable  it  is 
To  be  to  others  cause  of  misery. 
Our  own  begotten,  and  of  our  loins  to  bring 
Into  this  cursed  world  a  woful  race, 
That  after  wretched  life  must  be  at  last  986 

Food  for  so  foul  a  monster),  in  thy  power 
It  lies,  yet  ere  conception,  to  prevent 
The  race  unblest,  to  being  yet  unbegot. 
Childless  thou  art,  childless  remain  :  so  Death 
Shall  be  deceived  his  glut,  and  with  us  two  900 

Be  forced  to  satisfy  his  ravenous  maw. 
But  if  thou  judge  it  hard  and  difficult, 
Conversing,  looking,  loving,  to  abstain 
From  love's  due  rites,  nuptial  eaibraces  sweet, 
And  with  desire  to  languish  without  hope,  aee 

Before  the  present  object  languishing 

967.  experiment,  experience.  979.  descent,  descendants  ;  po* 

969.  event,  conseiiuence.  terity. 

976.  extremes,  extreme  misery.  990.  deceived  his  glut,  cheated 

978.  Considering  our  evils,  and  of  his  fill. 

Bftdier  to  choose  than  the  endur-  993.  Conversing.  See  V  III.  41& 
uice  of  our  woes 


8ooK  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  325 

With  like  desire,  which  would  be  misery 

And  torment  less  than  none  of  what  we  dread ; 

Then,  both  ourselves  and  seed  at  once  to  free 

From  what  we  fear  for  both,  let  as  make  shoit,     10(v^ 

Let  us  seek  Death,  or,  he  not  found,  supply 

With  our  own  hands  his  office  on  ourselves. 

Why  stand  we  longer  shivering  under  fears 

That  show  no  end  but  death,  and  have  the  power, 

Of  many  ways  to  die  the  shortest  choosing,  1005 

Destruction  with  destruction  to  destroy  ?  " 

She  ended  here,  or  vehement  despair 
Broke  off'  the  rest ;  so  much  of  death  her  thoughts 
Had  entertained  as  dyed  her  cheeks  with  pale. 
But  Adam,  with  such  counsel  nothing  swayed,        lOlO 
To  better  hopes  his  more  attentive  mind 
Laboring  had  raised,  and  thus  to  Eve  replied  : 

"  Eve,  thy  contempt  of  life  and  pleasure  seems 
To  argue  in  thee  something  more  sublime 
And  excellent  than  what  thy  mind  contemns  ;        1015 
But  self-destruction  therefore  sought  refutes 
That  excellence  thought  in  thee,  and  impUes 
Not  thy  contempt,  but  anguish  and  regret 
For  loss  of  life  and  pleasure  overloved. 
Or  if  thou  covet  death  as  utmost  end  loao 

Of  misery,  so  thinking  to  evade 
The  penalty  pronounced,  doubt  not  but  God 
Hath  wiselier  armed  his  vengeful  ire  than  so 
To  be  forestalled ;  much  more  I  fear  lest  death 
So  snatched  will  not  exempt  us  from  the  pain         1021 
We  are  by  doom  to  pay  ;   rather  such  acts 
Of  contumacy  will  provoke  the  Highest 
To  make  death  in  us  live.      Then  let  us  seek 

lOO'l.  and  have,  while  we  have         1024.  forestallerJ .  anticipated 
1009.  paUf  paleness.  1026.  oy  doom,  doomed. 


326  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  X 

Some  safer  resolution,  which  methlnks 

I  have  in  view,  calling  to  mind  with  heed  1Q% 

Part  of  our  sentence,  that  thy  seed  shall  bruise 

The  serpent's  head  ;  piteous  amends  !  unless 

Be  meant,  whom  I  conjecture,  our  grand  foe 

Satan,  who  in  the  serpent  hath  contrived 

Against  us  this  deceit :  to  crush  his  head  1038 

AVould  be  revenge  indeed  ;  which  will  be  lost 

By  death  brought  on  ourselves,  or  childless  days 

Resolved  as  thou  proposest ;  so  ou^r  foe 

Shall  scape  his  punishment  ordained,  and  wc 

Instead  shall  double  ours  upon  our  heads.  1040 

No  more  be  mentioned  then  of  violence 

Against  ourselves,  and  wilful  barrenness, 

That  cuts  us  off  from  hope,  and  savors  only 

Rancor  and  pride,  impatience  and  despite. 

Reluctance  against  God  and  his  just  yoke  1045 

Laid  on  our  necks.     Remember  with  what  mild 

And  gracious  temper  he  both  heard  and  judged, 

Without  wrath  or  reviling  ;  we  expected 

Immediate  dissolution,  which  we  thought 

Was  meant  by  death  that  day,  when  lo,  to  thee 

Pains  only  in  child-bearing  were  foretold,  1051 

And  bringing  forth,  soon  recompensed  with  joy, 

Fruit  of  thy  womb  :  on  me  the  curse  aslope 

Glanced  on  the  ground  ;  with  labor  I  must  earn 

My  bread  ;  what  harm  ?  idleness  had  been  worse ; 

My  labor  will  sustain  me  :  and,  lest  cold  1056 

Or  heat  should  injure  us,  his  timely  care 

Hath  unbesought  provided,  and  his  hands 

Clothed  us  unworthy,  pitying  while  he  judged. 

How  much  more,  if  we  pray  him,  will  his  ear         106C 

Be  open,  and  his  heart  to  pity  incline, 

And  teach  us  further  by  what  means  to  shun 

1038.  Reiolved,  resolved  or  de-        1052.    recompensed,   to   be  >» 
lermined  on  compensed. 


Book  X.]  PARADISE  LOST.  327 

rhe  inclement  seasons,  rain,  ice,  hail,  and  snow, 
Which  now  the  sky  with  various  face  begins 
To  show  us  in  this  mountain,  while  the  winds        1065 
Blow  moist  and  keen,  shattering  the  graceful  locks 
Of  these  fair  spreading  trees  ;  Avhich  bids  us  seek 
Some  better  shroud,  some  better  warmth  to  cherish 
Our  limbs  benumbed,  ere  this  diurnal  star 
Leave  cold  the  night ;  how  we  his  gathered  beams 
Reflected  may  with  matter  sere  foment,  1071 

Or  by  collision  of  two  bodies  grind 
The  air  attrite  to  fire,  as  late  the  clouds 
Justling  or  pushed  Avith  winds  rude  in  their  shock 
Tine  the  slant  lightning,  Avhose  thwart  flame  driven 
down  1076 

Kind.es  the  gummy  bark  of  fir  or  pine, 
And  sends  a  comfortable  heat  from  far, 
Which  might  supply  the  sun.      Such  fire  to  use. 
And  what  may  else  be  remedy  or  cure 
To  evils  which  our  own  misdeeds  have  wrought,     1080 
He  Avill  instruct  us  praying  and  of  grace 
Beseeching  him,  so  as  we  need  not  fear 
To  pass  commodiously  this  life,  sustained 
By  him  with  many  comforts,  till  we  end 
In  dust,  our  final  rest  and  native  home.  1085 

What  better  can  we  do,  than  to  the  place 
Repairing  where  he  judged  us  prostrate  fall 
Before  him  reverent,  and  there  confess 
Humbly  our  faults,  and  pardon  beg,  with  tears 
Watering  the  ground,  and  with  our  sighs  the  air 
Frequenting,  sent  from  hearts  contrite,  in  sign        1091 

1039.    this    diurnal    star,    the        1078.  supply,  serve  instead  of. 
Bun.  1081.  o/ grace,  for  favor. 

1070.  how,  bids  us  seek  how.  1082.  as,  that. 

1071.  matter    sere,    dry    sub-        1083.    To  pass,   that  we   shall 
tance. — fomeiit,  cherish]  feed,      not  Tpuss.  —  commo/Jiously,  with 

1073.  attrite,  rubbed.  comfort  or  convenience. 

1075.    Tine,    kindle.  —  thwart,        1091.      frequenting,      filing  ; 
tross.  crowding. 


328  PARADISE  LOST.  [Cook  X. 

Of  sorrow  unfeigned  and  humiliation  meek  ? 

Undoubtedly  he  will  relent  and  turn 

From  his  displeasure,  in  whose  look  serene, 

When  angry  most  he  seemed  and  most  severe,       1C9« 

What  else  but  favor,  grace,  and  mercy  shone  ?  " 

So  spake  our  father  penitent,  nor  Eve 
Felt  less  remorse  :  they  forthwith  to  the  place 
Repairing  where  he  judged  them  prostrate  fell 
Before  him  reverent,  and  both  confessed  liao 

Humbly  their  faults,  and  pardon  begged,  with  tears 
Watering  the  ground,  and  with  their  sighs  the  air 
Frequenting,  sent  from  hearts  contrite,  in  sign 
Of  sorrow  unfeigned  and  humiliation  meek. 


BOOK   XI. 

THE  ARGUMENT. 

The  Son  of  God  presents  to  his  Father  the  prayers  of  our  first 
parents  now  repenting,  and  intercedes  for  them.  God  accepts 
t^em,  but  declares  that  they  must  no  longer  abide  in  Paradise : 
sends  Michael  with  a  band  of  Cherubim  to  dispossess  them  ;  but 
first  to  reveal  to  Adam  future  things.  Michael's  coming  down. 
Adam  shows  to  Eve  certain  ominous  signs  ;  he  discerns  Michael's 
approach,  goes  out  to  meet  him  :  the  Angel  denounces  their 
departure.  Eve's  lamentation.  Adam  pleads,  but  submits.  The 
Angel  leads  him  up  to  a  high  hill,  sets  before  him  in  vision  what 
shall  happen  till  the  flood. 

Thus  they  in  lowliest  plight  repentant  stood 
Praying ;  for  from  the  mercy-seat  above 
Prevenient  grace  descending  had  removed 
The  stony  from  their  hearts,  and  made  new  flesh 
Regenerate  grow  instead,  that  sighs  now  breathed      5 
Unutterable,  which  the  spirit  of  prayer 
Inspired,  and  winged  for  Heaven  with  speedier  flight 
Than  loudest  oratory  :  yet  their  port 
Not  of  mean  suitors,  nor  important  less 
Seemed  their  petition,  than  when  the  ancient  pair   10 
In  fables  old,  less  ancient  yet  than  these, 

3.  Prevenient,  coming  before ;  11-14.  TThen  Jupiter  (Zeus) 
anticipating.  had  resolved  to  destroy  the  race 

4.  The  stony.  "  I  will  take  of  men.  Deucalion  and  his  wife 
the  stony  heart  out  of  their  flesh,  P/rrha  alone  were  spared.  A 
and  will  give  them  a  heart  ol  flood  swept  away  all  ofher  mor- 
flesh."     Ezekiel  xi.  19.  fails,  and  when    the  waters   sub- 

6.     Unutterable.     See  Romans  sided  Deucalion  offered  sacrifice, 

viii.  26.  and   sought   to   learn    from    the 

8.  oratory,  probably,  uttered  goddess  Themis  how  the  race 
prayer.  —  port,  bearing.  mi^ht  be  restored. 

9.  Not^  was  not  that 


330  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Xl 

Deucalion  and  cbaste  Pyrrha,  to  restore 

The  race  of  mankind  drowned,  before  the  shrine 

Of  Themis  stood  devout.     To  Heaven  their  prayers 

Flew  up,  nor  missed  the  way  by  envious  winds         Ifi 

Blown  vagabond  or  frustrate :  in  they  passed 

Dimensionless  through  heavenly  doors ;  then  clad 

With  incense,  where  the  gcldeii  altar  fumed, 

By  their  great  Intercessor,  came  in  sight 

Before  the  Father's  throne  :   them  the  glad  Son        SO 

Presenting,  thus  to  intercede  began  : 

"  See,    Father,    what    first    fruits    on    earth    are 
sprung 
From  thy  implanted  grace  in  man,  these  sighs 
And  prayers,  which  in  this  golden  censer,  mixed 
With  incense,  I  thy  priest  before  thee  bring,  25 

Fruits  of  more  pleasing  savor  from  thy  seed 
Sown  with  contrition  in  his  heart,  than  those 
Which,  his  own  hand  manuring,  all  the  trees 
Of  Paradise  could  have  produced,  ere  fallen 
From  innocence.     Now  therefore  bend  thine  ear      30 
To  supplication,  hear  his  sighs  though  mute ; 
Unskilful  with  what  words  to  pray,  let  me 
Interpret  for  him,  me  his  advocate 
And  propitiation ;  all  his  works  on  me. 
Good  or  not  good,  ingraft ;  my  merit  those  85 

Shall  perfect,  and  for  these  my  death  shall  pay. 
Accept  me,  and  in  me  from  these  receive 

16.  fag-aiojiv/,  to  and  fro  ;  wan-  SoSi.  his  arJ vacate  and  prO' 
dering.  — frustrate,  frustrated;  pitiation.  "  And  if  any  man  sin, 
Daade  vain.  we  have   an  advocate   with    the 

17.  Dimensionless,  immate-  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  right- 
rial  ;  not  having  dimensions  like  eous  ;  and  he  is  the  propitiation 
>natter.  for  our  sins  ;   and  not   for  oura 

24.  golden  altar.    "  The   gold-  only,  but  also  for  the  sins  of  th» 

en  altar  which   was  before  the  whole  world."     1  John  ii.  1,  2. 
throne."      See    Revelation    viii.        35.  those,  his  good  works. 
3  4.  ^'j-  these,  his  works  not  good. 

28    manuring.     See  IV.  628  Zl.  these.   See  lines  20, 23, 31. 


Book  XI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  331 

The  smell  of  peace  toward  mankind  ;  let  him  live 
Before  thee  reconciled,  at  least  his  days 
Nuaibered,  though  sad,  till  death,  his  doom  (which  I 
To  mitigate  thus  plead,  not  to  reverse),  41 

To  better  life  shall  yield  him,  where  with  me 
All  my  redeemed  may  dwell  in  joy  and  bliss, 
Made  one  with  me,  as  I  with  thee  am  one." 

To  whom  the  Father,  without  cloud,  serene  :        4^ 
"  All  thy  request  for  man,  accepted  Son, 
Obtain ;  all  thy  request  Avas  my  decree. 
But  longer  in  that  Paradise  to  dwell. 
The  law  I  gave  to  Nature  him  forbids  : 
Those  pure  immortal  elements,  that  know  M 

No  gross,  no  unharmonious  mixture  foul, 
Eject  him  tainted  now  and  purge  him  off 
As  a  distemper,  gross  to  air  as  gross. 
And  mortal  food,  as  may  dispose  him  best 
For  dissolution  wrought  by  sin,  that  first  bb 

Distempered  all  things,  and  of  incorrupt 
Corrupted.     I  at  first  with  two  fair  gifts 
Created  him  endowed,  Avith  happiness 
And  immortality  ;  that  fondly  lost. 
This  other  served  but  to  eternize  woe,  60 

Till  I  provided  death  ;  so  death  becomes 
His  final  remedy,  and  after  life. 
Tried  in  sharp  tribulation  and  refined 
By  faith  and  faithful  Avorks,  to  second  life 
Waked  in  the  renovation  of  the  just,  6S 

Resigns  him  up  with  heaven  and  earth  renewed. 

39.    hit  days,  through  all  his        50.   Those,  such  as  were  fbuiu] 

days.  in  Paradise. 

42.  unthme.   "  I  will  that  they        54.  And^   and    to. —  as,   such 

also  whom  thou   hast  given  me  as. 

be  with  me  where  I  am."    John        56,  57.  of  incorrupt  corrupted 

Kvii.  24.  turned   from    incorrupt   to   cor>« 

44.  Made  one.     See  John  xvii.  rupt. 
21.  51*    fondly,  foolishly. 

47.  vuj  decree,  what  I  had  be-        66.  Iieni-en  and  earth  renewed 

fore  decreed.  See  X.  638,  639. 


332  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Xl. 

But  let  us  call  to  synod  all  the  blest 

Through  Heaven's  wide   bounds ;    from  them  I  will 

not  hide 
My  judgments,  how  with  mankind  I  proceed, 
As  how  with  peccant  angels  late  they  saw,  70 

And    in  their  state,  though   firm,   stood   more    con- 
firmed." 

He  ended,  and  the  Son  gave  signal  high 
To  the  bright  minister  that  watched  ;  he  blew 
His  trumpet,  heard  in  Oreb  since  perhaps 
When  God  descended,  and  perhaps  once  more  76 

To  sound  at  general  doom.     The  angelic  blast 
Filled  all  the  regions :  fi-om  their  blissful  bowers 
Of  amarantine  shade,  fountain  or  spring. 
By  the  waters  of  life,  where'er  they  sat 
In  fellowships  of  joy,  the  sons  of  light  80 

Hasted,  resorting  to  the  summons  high, 
And  took  their  seats  ;  till  from  his  throne  supreme 
The  Almighty  thus  pronounced  his  sovran  will : 

"  O  sons,  like  one  of  us  Man  is  become 
To  know  both  good  and  evil,  since  his  taste  86 

Of  that  defended  fruit  ;  but  let  him  boast 
His  knowledge  of  good  lost  and  evil  got. 
Happier  had  it  sufficed  him  to  have  known 
Good  by  itself,  and  evil  not  at  all. 
He  sorrows  now,  repents,  and  prays  contrite,  dO 

My  motions  in  him  ;  longer  than  they  move, 

70.    peccant,    sinning.  —  late  78.  amarantine  shade.   See  HI. 

theysaiv.    See  VI.  831-877.  353-361. 

73.  minister^  servant;  chief  79.  the  waters  of  life.  "And 
attendant.  See  Exodus  xxiv.  13.  he  shewed  me  a  pure  river  ol 
Matthew  xx.  26.  water  of  life,  clear   as    crystal, 

74.  heard  in  Oreb.  See  Exo-  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of 
dus  xix.  19.  Oreb.,  Iloreb  or  God  and  the  Lamb."  Revelation 
Sinai.  —  pfHiaps,     perhaps    the    xxii.  1. 

Bame.  86.  defended,  forbidden. 

75.  once    more.       "For  the        91.     longer    than    they    mact 
trumpet  shall    sound."    1  Cor-    when  they  cease  to  move, 
mthians  xv.  52. 


Book  XL]  PARADISE  LOST.  388 

His  heart  I  know,  how  variable  and  vain 

Self-left.     Lest  therefore  his  now  bolder  hand 

Reach  also  of  the  Tree  of  Life,  and  eat, 

And  live  for  ever,  dream  at  least  to  live  95 

For  ever,  to  remove  him  I  decree, 

And  send  him  from  the  garden  forth  to  till 

The  ground  whence  he  was  taken,  fitter  soil. 

Michael,  this  my  behest  have  thou  in  charge  ; 

Take  to  thee  from  among  the  Cherubim  100 

Thy  choice  of  flaming  warriors,  lest  the  Fiend, 

Or  in  behalf  of  man,  or  to  invade 

Vacant  possession,  some  new  trouble  raise  : 

Haste  thee,  and  from  the  Paradise  of  God 

Without  remorse  drive  out  the  sinful  pair,  106 

From  hallowed  ground  the  unholy,  and  denounce 

To  them  and  to  their  progeny  from  thence 

Perpetual  banishment.      Yet,  lest  they  faint 

At  the  sad  sentence  rigorously  urged 

(For  I  behold  them  softened  and  with  tears  iiO 

Bewailing  their  excess),  all  terror  hide. 

If  patiently  thy  bidding  they  obey, 

Dismiss  them  not  disconsolate;  reveal 

To  Adam  what  shall  come  in  future  days, 

As  I  shall  thee  enlighten  ;  intermix  115 

My  covenant  in  the  woman's  seed  renewed  : 

So  send  them  forth,  though  sorrowing  yet  in  peace ; 

And  on  the  east  side  of  the  garden  place, 

Where  entrance  up  from  Eden  easiest  climbs. 

Cherubic  watch,  and  of  a  sword  the  flame  lao 

Wide  waving,  all  approach  far  oS"  to  fright, 

93.  Self-left^  left  to  itself.  111.  excess,  transgression. 

94.  Tree  of  Life.    See  Genesis        115.    intermix,   with    the    sad 
iii.  22.  tidings  mingle  the  joyful  as8U< 

97.  send  him.    See  Genesis  iii.    ranee  of. 
23.  120.   Cherubic  watch.    See  Gen- 

103    Or,  either.  esis  iii.  24 

105.     remorse,    compunction ; 
t)ity. 


334  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Xi 

And  gnard  all  passage  to  the  Tree  of  Life  ; 

Lest  Paradise  a  receptacle  prove 

To  spirits  foul,  and  all  my  trees  tlieir  prey,  121 

With  whose  stolen  fruit  man  once  more  to  delude." 

He  ceased ;  and  the  archangelic  pow^r  prepared 
For  swift  descent,  with  him  the  cohort  bright 
Of  watchful  Cherubim  ;  four  foces  each 
Had,  like  a  double  Janus,  all  their  shape 
Spangled  with  eyes,  more  numerous  than  those        130 
Of  Argus,  and  more  wakeful  than  to  drowse, 
Charmed  with  Arcadian  pipe,  the  pastoral  reed 
Of  Hermes,  or  his  opiate  rod.     Meanwhile, 
To  re-salute  the  world  with  sacred  light, 
Leucothea  waked,  and  with  fresh  dews  embalmed    136 
The  earth,  when  Adam  and  first  matron  Eve 
Had  ended  now  their  orisons,  and  found 
Strength  added  from  above,  new  hope  to  spring 
Out  of  despair,  joy,  but  with  fear  yet  linked  ; 
Which  thus  to  Eve  his  welcome  words  renewed ;    140 

"  Eve,  easily  may  faith  admit  that  all 
The  good  which  we  enjoy  from  Heaven  descends  ; 
But  that  from  us  aught  should  ascend  to  Heaven 
So  prevalent  as  to  concern  the  mind 

127.  cohort^  band.  sweet    sounds    of    his    flute    or 

128.  four  faces.  "Every  one  Arcadian  pipe.,  and  touched  him 
had  four  faces  apiece."  Ezekiel  with  his  opiate  rod.  —  Arcadian, 
X.  21.  belonging  to  Arcadia,  a  country 

129.  Jam/s  was  a  Roman  deity,  of  shephei-ds,  by  whom  Hermes 
commonly  represented  with  two  was  especially  worshipped.  — 
faces.  pastoral,     belonging      to      shep- 

130.  with  eyes.    See  Ezekiel  x.  herds.  —  opiate,  sleep-giving. 
12.  135.    Leucothea,   signifying  in 

131-133.  Argus  was  said  to  Greek  White-goddess,  was  a  god- 
have  had  a  hundred  eyes,  lie  dess  of  the  sea.  Milton  here 
was  set  by  Ilera  (Juno)  to  guard  uses  the  name  for  the  goddess  of 
lo,    whom    she    had    metamor-  the  dawn. 

phosed  into  a  cow.    But  Herines  144.  ^jrevaZeni,  prevailing  ;  effl 

(Mercury)     slew     him,     having  cacious. 
bulled    him    to    sleep   with    the 


Book  XL]  PARADISE  LOST.  335 

Of  God  higb-blest,  or  to  incline  his  will,  liB 

Hard  to  belief  may  seem ;  yet  this  will  prayer, 

Or  one  short  sigh  of  human  breath,  upborne 

Even  to  the  seat  of  God      For  since  I  sought 

By  prayer  the  offended  Deity  to  appease, 

Kneeled  and  before  him  humbled  all  my  heart,       160 

Methought  I  saAv  him  placable  and  mild, 

Bending  his  ear  ;  persuasion  in  me  grew 

That  I  was  heard  Avith  favor ;  peace  returned 

Home  to  my  breast,  and  to  my  memory 

His  promise  that  thy  seed  shall  bruise  our  foe  ;         156 

Which,  then  not  minded  in  dismay,  yet  now 

Assures  me  that  the  bitterness  of  death 

Is  past,  and  we  shall  live.     Whence  hail  to  thee, 

Eve  rightly  called,  mother  of  all  mankind. 

Mother  of  all  things  living,  since  by  thee  16C 

Man  is  to  live,  and  all  things  live  for  man ! " 

To  whom  thus  Eve  with  sad  demeanor  meek : 
"  111  worthy  I  such  title  should  belong 
To  me  transgressor,  who,  for  thee  ordained 
A  help,  became  thy  snare  ;  to  me  reproach  166 

Rather  belongs,  distrust  and  all  dispraise  : 
But  infinite  in  pardon  was  my  Judge, 
That  I,  who  first  brought  death  on  all,  am  graced 
The  source  of  life  ;  next  favorable  thou. 
Who  highly  thus  to  entitle  me  vouchsaf'st,  170 

Far  other  name  deserving.     But  the  field 
To  labor  calls  us  now  with  sweat  imposed 
Though  after  sleepless  night ;  for  see,  the  morn, 
All  unconcerned  with  our  unrest,  begins 


146.    this  will  prayer,  prayer  call3d  his  wife's  name  Eve,  !»• 

•rill  do  this.  cause  she  was  the  mother  of  all 

157.  "  And  Agag   said,  Surelj  living."     Genesis  iii.  20. 

Bie  bitterness  of  death  is  past."  l(jS.  am  graced,  am  so  favored 

1  Samuel  xv.  32.  as  to  be. 

159.  rightly  callid.  "And  Adam  172.  imposed,  laid  upon  ii8- 


336  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XI. 

Her  rosy  progress  smiling.      Let  us  forth,  176 

I  never  from  thy  side  henceforth  to  stray, 
Where'er  our  day's  work  lies,  though  now  enjoined 
Laborious,  till  day  droop ;  while  here  we  dwell, 
What  can  be  toilsome  in  these  pleasant  walks  ? 
Here  let  us  live,  though  in  fallen  state,  content."     180 

So  spake,  so  wished  much-humbled  Eve,  but  Fate 
Subscribed  not  ;  Nature  first  gave  signs,  impressed 
On  bird,  beast,  air,  air  suddenly  eclipsed 
After  short  blush  of  morn  ;  nigh  in  her  sight 
The  bird  of  Jove,  stooped  from  his  aery  tour,  186 

Two  birds  of  gayest  plume  before  him  drove : 
DoAvn  from  a  hill  tlie  beast  that  reigns  in  woods, 
First  hunter  then,  pursued  a  gentle  brace. 
Goodliest  of  all  the  forest,  hart  and  hind ; 
Direct  to  the  eastern  gate  was  bent  their  flight.       190 
Adam  observed,  and,  with  his  eye  the  chase 
Pursuing,  not  unmoved  to  Eve  thus  spake  : 

"  O  Eve,  some  further  change  awaits  us  nigh, 
Which  Heaven  by  these  mute  signs  in  Nature  showo, 
Forerunners  of  his  purpose,  or  to  warn  195 

Us  haply  too  secure  of  our  discharge 
From  penalty,  because  from  death  released 
Some  days ;  how  long,  and  what  till  then  our  life, 
Who  knows,  or  more  than  this,  that  we  are  dust, 
And  thither  must  return  and  be  no  more?  200 

Why  else  this  double  object  in  our  sight 
Of  flight,  pursued  in  the  air  and  o'er  the  ground, 

182.  Subscribed,      assented  ;        187.  the  beast  that  reigns,  th« 
Hgreed.  lion,  king  of  beasts. 

183.  ed/pserf,  become  dark  with        196.  secure,  ceTtain. 

eloiids.  198.  Some  days,  for  some  days 

185.      The    bird    of  Jove,    the        199.  or  more  than  this,  or  whf 
eagle.  —  stooped,  haying  stooped,    knows  more  than  this. 
—  tour,  wheel.     Or  it  may  mean 
tower;   the  height  to  which  he 
towers. 


Boos  XI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  337 

One  way  the  self-same  hour  ?  TVHiy  in  the  east 
Darkness  ere  day's  mid-course,  and  morning  light 
More  orient  in  yon  "western  cloud,  that  draws  306 

O'er  the  blue  firmament  a  radiant  white, 
And  slow  descends  with  something  heavenly 
fraught  ?  " 

He  erred  not,  for  by  this  the  heavenly  bands 
Down  from  a  sky  of  jasper  lighted  now 
Tn  Paradise,  and  on  a  hill  made  halt ;  210 

A  glorious  apparition,  had  not  doubt 
And  carnal  fear  that  day  dimmed  Adam's  eye. 
Not  that  more  glorious,  when  the  angels  met 
Jacob  in  Mahana'im,  where  he  saw 
The  field  pavilioned  with  his  guardians  briglit ;        216 
Nor  that  which  on  the  flaming  mount  appeared 
In  Dothan,  covered  with  a  camp  of  fire, 
Against  the  SjTian  king,  who,  to  surprise 
One  man,  assassin-like  had  levied  war, 
War  unproclaimed.      The  princely  Ilierarch  220 

In  their  bright  stand  there  left  his  powers  to  seize 
Possession  of  the  garden  ;  he  alone, 
To  find  where  Adam  sheltered,  took  his  way, 
Not  unperceived  of  Adam,  who  to  Eve, 
While  the  great  visitant  approached,  thus  spake :    225 

"  Eve,  now  expect  great  tidings,  which  perhaps 
Of  us  will  soon  determine,  or  impose 
New  laws  to  be  observed ;  for  I  descry, 
From  yonder  blazing  cloud  that  veils  the  hill, 

203.   TF^jy,  why  .is  there.  213-215.  See  Genesis  xxxii.l,  •4, 

205.  More  orinit,  more  bright  216-220.  See  2  Kings  yi.  8-17. 

than  the  rising  ught.  —  Hierarck.     See  line  99. 

208.  by  this,  by  this  time.  221.  statttl,  station  ;  or,  In  theit 

209.  a  sky    of  jasper.     •'  Her  bright    stand,  standing    in    theil 
light  was  like  unto  u  stone  most  brightness. 

precious,  even  like  a  jasper  stone,  223.  shelter ed^ha^di  taken  shel- 

clear    as    crystal."      Revelation  ter. 

txi- 11-  227.  determine^  decide  the  £sit8 
211.  apparition^  appearance. 

22 


338  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XI. 

One  of  the  heavenly  host,  and  by  h's  gait  aso 

None  of  the  meanest,  some  great  potentate, 

Or  of  the  Thrones  above,  such  majesty 

Invests  hhn  coming  ;  yet  not  terrible 

That  I  should  fear,  nor  sociably  mild 

As  Raphael  that  I  should  much  confide  ;  235 

But  solemn  and  sublime,  whom  not  to  offend, 

With  reverence  I  must  meet,  and  thou  retire." 

He  ended  ;  and  the  Archangel  soon  drew  nigli, 
Not  in  his  shape  celestial,  but  as  man 
Clad  to  meet  man  ;  over  his  lucid  arms  240 

A  military  vest  of  purple  flowed, 
Livelier  than  Meliboean,  or  the  grain 
Of  Sarra,  worn  by  kings  and  heroes  old 
In  time  of  truce  ;  Iris  had  dipped  the  woof  : 
His  starry  helm  unbuckled  showed  him  prime  245 

In  manhood  where  youth  ended ;  by  his  side, 
As  in  a  glistering  zodiac,  hung  the  sword, 
Satan's  dire  dread,  and  in  his  hand  the  spear. 
Adam  bowed  Ioav  ;  he  kingly  from  his  state 
Inclined  not,  but  his  coming  thus  declared  :  250 

"  Adam,  Heaven's  high  behest  no  preface  needs  : 
Sufficient  that  thy  prayers  are  heard,  and  death, 
Then  due  by  sentence  when  thou  didst  transgress, 
Defeated  of  his  seizure,  many  days 
Given  thee  of  grace,  wherein  thou  may'st  repent,   265 

232.  Or  of,  or  one  of.  247.  In  a  belt  gUstering   lik« 

233.  Invests,  clothes.  the  Zodiac. 

235.    As  Raphael.     See  V.  22 :        248.   Satan's   dire   dread.     See 

VII.  40,  41.  VI.  320-328.     • 

242.  Melibaan.      Melibnea,    a        249.    state,  stateliness ;  stately 
town  in  Thessaly,  was  celebrated  bearing. 

ft)r  its  purple  dye.  — ^mm,  dye  250.  inclined,  hent. 

n  color.     See  V.  285.  254.  Defeated,  is  defeated,  cli» 

243.  Sarra,   the  ambient  Tyre,  appointed. —  se/suT-e,  possession 
»lso  famous  for  its  purple.  _  255.    Given,  are  given. 

244.  Iris,  the  personification  of 
Ihe  rainbow. 


booKXI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  339 

And  one  bad  act  with  many  deeds  well  done 

May'st  cover.      Well  may  then  thy  Lord  appeased 

Redeem  thee  quite  from  death's  rapacious  claim  ; 

But  longer  in  this  Pciradlse  to  dwell 

Permits  not ;  to  remove  thee  I  am  come,  260 

And  send  thee  fi'om  the  garden  forth,  to  till 

The  ground  whence  thou  wast  taken,  fitter  soil." 

He  added  not,  for  Adam  at  the  news 
Heart-struck  with  chilling  gripe  of  sorrow  stood 
That  all  his  senses  bound ;  Eve,  who  unseen  266 

Yet  all  had  heard,  with  audible  lament 
Discovered  soon  the  place  of  her  retire  : 

"  0  unexpected  stroke,  worse  than  of  death  ! 
Must  I  thus  leave  thee,  Paradise  ?  thus  leave 
Thee,  native  soil,  these  happy  walks  and  shades,     270 
Fit  haunt  of  gods,  where  I  had  hope  to  spend, 
Quiet  though  sad,  the  respite  of  that  day 
That  must  be  mortal  to  us  both  ?     O  flowers, 
Q^hat  never  will  in  other  climate  grow, 
My  early  visitation   and  my  last  278 

At  even,  which  I  bred  up  with  tender  hand 
From  the  first  opening  bud  and  gave  ye  names, 
Who  now  shall  rear  ye  to  the  sun,  or  rank 
Your  tribes,  and  water  from  the  ambrosial  fount  ? 
Thee  lastly,  nuptial  bower,  by  me  adorned  2S0 

With  what  to  sight  or  smell  was  sweet,  from  thee 
How  shall  I  part,  and  whither  wander  down 
[nto  a  lower  world,  to  this  obscure 
And  wild  ?     How  shall  we  breathe  in  other  air 
Less  pure,  accustomed  to  immortal  fruits  ?  "  286 

260.    Permits,    he,    thy    Lord,  272.  respite,  delay ;  postpone- 

permiis.  ment. 

267.  Discovered.    See  I.  64. —  283.    to    this,    compared   with 

retire,  retirement ;  retreat.  this. 


340  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  II 

WLom  thus  the  angel  interrupted  mild  : 
^  Lament  not,  Eve,  but  patiently  resign 
What  justly  thou  hast  lost ;  nor  set  thy  heart, 
Thus  over-fond,  on  that  ^yhich  is  not  thine  : 
Tiiy  going  is  not  lonely  ;  with  thee  goes  290 

Thy  husband  ;  him  to  follow  thou  art  bound  ; 
Where  he  abides,  think  there  thy  native  soil." 

Adam  by  this  from  the  cold  sudden  damp 
Recovering,  and  his  scattered  spirits  returned, 
To  Michael  thus  his  humble  words  addressed  :  295 

"  Celestial !  whether  among  the  Thrones,  or  named 
Of  them  the  highest,  for  such  of  shape  may  seem 
Prince  above  princes,  gently  hast  thou  told 
Thy  message,  which  might  else  in  telling  wound 
And  in  performing  end  us  ;  what  besides  300 

Of  sorrow  and  dejection  and  despair 
Our  frailty  can  sustain,  thy  tidings  bring. 
Departure  from  this  happy  place,  our  sweet 
Recess,  and  only  consolation  left, 
Familiar  to  our  eyes,  all  places  else  805 

Inhospitable  appear  and  desolate, 
Nor  knowing  us  nor  known :  and  if  by  prayer 
Incessant  I  could  hope  to  change  the  will 
Of  him  who  all  things  can,  I  would  not  cease 
To  weary  him  with  my  assiduous  cries.  810 

But  prayer  against  his  absolute  decree 
No  more  avails  than  breath  against  the  wind, 
Blown  stifling  back  on  him  that  breathes  it  forth : 
n^erefore  to  his  ereat  bidding  I  submit. 

292.  See  Ruth  I.  IP,  17.  297.  such  of  shape,  one  of  such 

293.  by  this,  by  this  time.  shape. 

294.  returned,  having  returned ;  305.  Perhaps  a  semicolon  would 
being  restored.  be  better  than  the  comma. 

296.      whether,    whether   thou        307.  Nor,  neither. 
Mi.  309.  all   things    can,    has    aO 

power. 


Book  XI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  341 

This  most  afflicts  me,  that  departing  hence  816 

As  from  his  face  I  shall  be  hid,  deprived 
His  blessed  countenance  ;  here  I  coidd  freqaent 
^ith  worship  place  by  place  where  he  vouchsafed 
Presence  divine,  and  to  my  sons  relate, 

On  this  mount  he  appeared,  under  this  tree  820 

Stood  visible,  among  these  pines  his  voice 
I  heard,  here  with  him  at  this  fountain  talked  :  * 
So  many  grateful  altars  I  would  rear 
Of  grassy  turf,  and  pile  up  every  stone 
Of  lustre  fi'om  the  brook,  in  memory  325 

Or  monument  to  ages,  and  thereon 
Offer  sweet-smelling  gums,  and  fruits,  and  flowers. 
In  yonder  netlier  world  where  shall  I  seek 
His  bright  appearances,  or  footstep  trace  ? 
For  thougli  I  fled  him  angry,  yet,  recalled  8S) 

To  life  prolonged  and  promised  race,  I  now 
Gladly  behold  though  but  his  utmost  skirts 
Of  glory,  and  far  off  his  steps  adore." 

To  whom  thus  Michael  with  rescard  beni2:n ; 
"  Adam,  thou  know'st  Heaven  his,  and  all  the  earth, 
Not  this  rock  only  ;  his  omnipresence  fills  338 

Land,  sea,  and  air,  and  every  kind  that  lives, 
Fomented  by  his  virtual  power  and  warmed : 
All  the  earth  he  gave  thee  to  possess  and  rule. 
No  despicable  gift ;  surmise  not  then  340 

His  presence  to  these  narrow  bounds  confined 
Of  Paradise  or  Eden  :  this  had  been 
Perhaps  thy  capital  seat,  from  whence  had  spread 
All  generations,  and  had  hither  come. 
From  all  the  ends  of  thf  earth,  to  celebrate  345 

316.  deprived,  deprived  of.  3oo.   Heaven  his,  that  Heaven 

321.    his    voice.      See    Genesis  is  his. 

»i-  8.  338.  Fomented.    See  IV.   669 

^IZ.  grateful  altars.    See  Gen-  — r/Vfua/ pon'^r,  potent  energy. 

*i8  xii.  7.  342.  had,  might  or  would  hav» 

825.    Of  lustre,    shining.  —  m  ^^.  celebrate.    See  II.  241. 
memory.    See  Joshua  iv.  19-24 


342  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XL 

And  reverence  thee  their  great  progenitor. 

But  this  preeminence  thou  hast  lost,  buought  down 

To  dwell  on  even  ground  now  with  thy  sons. 

Yet  doubt  not  but  in  valley  and  in  plain 

God  is  as  here,  and  will  be  found  alike  35(1 

Present,  and  of  his  presence  many  a  sign 

Still  following  thee,  still  compassing  thee  round 

With  goodness  and  paternal  love,  his  face 

Express,  and  of  his  steps  the  track  divine. 

Which  that  thou  may'st  believe,  and  be  confirmed  365 

Ere  thou  from  hence  depart,  know  I  am  sent 

To  show  thee  what  shall  come  in  future  days 

To  thee  and  to  thy  offspring  ;  good  with  bad 

Expect  to  hear,  supernal  grace  contending 

With  sinfulness  of  men  ;  thereby  to  learn  3^ 

True  patience,  and  to  temper  joy  with  fear 

And  pious  sorrow,  equally  inured 

By  moderation  either  state  to  bear. 

Prosperous  or  adverse  :  so  shalt  thou  lead 

Safest  thy  life,  and  best  prepared  endure  865 

Thy  mortal  passage  when  it  comes.      Ascend 

This  hill ;  let  Eve  (for  I  have  drenched  her  eyes) 

Here  sleep  below,  while  thou  to  foresight  wak'st ; 

A.S  once  thou  slept'st,  while  she  to  life  was  formed. 

To  whom  thus  Adam  gratefully  replied  :  370 

''  Ascend,  I  follow  thee,  safe  guide,  the  path 
Thou  lead'st  me,  and  to  the  hand  of  Heaven  sub- 
mit, 
However  chastening  ;  to  the  evil  turn 
My  obvious  breast,  arming  to  overcome 
By  suffering,  and  earn  rest  from  labor  won,  375 

352.  coiyipassing.    '' With  favor        368.  foresight,    the    sight    of 

rilt  thou  compass  him  as  with  a  what  shall  come  in  future  days. 
shield."     Psalm  t.  12.  374.    obvious,  meeting  in  th# 

354.  Express,  will  express  way  ;  opposing  in  front.    See  VI 

867.  drenched,  steeped.  69.  —  arming,  arming  myself. 


Book  XL]  PARADISE  LOST.  34S 

If  so  I  may  attain."     So  both  ascend 

[n  the  visions  of  God.     It  was  a  hill, 

Of  Paradise  the  highest,  from  whose  top 

The  hemisphere  of  earth  in  clearest  ken  87S 

Stretched  out  to  the  amplest  reach  of  prospect  lay. 

Not  higher  that  hill,  or  wider  looking  round, 

Whereon,  for  dilferent  cause,  the  Tempter  set 

Our  second  Adam  in  the  wilderness. 

To  show  him  all  earth's  kingdoms  and  their  glory. 

His  eye  might  there  command  wherever  stood  386 

City  of  old  or  modern  fame,  the  seat 

Of  mightiest  empire,  from  the  destined  walls 

Of  Cambalu,  seat  of  Cathaian  Can, 

And  Samarchand  by  Oxus,  Temir's  throne, 

To  Paqidn  of  SInaean  kings  ;  and  thence  880 

To  Agra  and  Labor  of  Great  Mogul, 

Down  to  the  golden  Chersonese  ;  or  where 

The  Persian  in  Ecbatan  sat,  or  since 

In  Hispahan,  or  where  the  Russian  Ksar 

377.  "  In  the  visions  of  God  conqueror,  who  extended  his  do- 
brought  he  me  into  the  land  of  minions   over    the   -westem    and 
Israel,  and  set  me  upon  a  very  southwestern  parts  of  Asia, 
high  mountain."     Ezekiel  xl.  2.  3d0.   Paquin.  Ft-kin.— Sinr^an 

379.  ken,  view.  here  means  Chinese.     The   Sinae 

381.    tJiat    hill.     See  Matthew  svere  the  easternmost    people  of 

ly.  8.  Asia,  as  known  to  the  ancients. 

'383.     Our  second  Adam.     See  391.  Agra  and  Lnhor  (Lahore) 

1  Corinthians  xv.  45.  are  cities  in  the  north  of  Hindos- 

.385.  wherever^  every  place   in  tan.     The  latter,  situated  in  the 

which.  district  of  the  Puujaub,  was  of 

387.  destined,  appointed  to  be  great  extent  in  the  times  of  the 
hereafter.  Great  Mosul,  a   name    given   to 

388.  Cambalu  was  reported  to  the  descendants  of  the  Mongul 
be  the  chief  city  of  Cathav.  —  conqueror  who  established  an 
Cathakh.1.  See  X.  293.  —  Can,  empire  in  India  in  the  sixteenth 
Khan.  century. 

389.  Samarchand  is  a  city  of  392.  the  golden  Chersonese,  the 
Independent    Tartary,    situated  peninsula  of  Malacca. 

»ast  of  the  river   Oxus,  but  not  393.     Ecbatan,    or    Ecbatana, 

aear   to   it.     It  was   formerly   a  was  a  great  city  of  ancient  Per- 

place  of  great   importance,  and  sia,  in  which  was  a  magnificent 

Ui    the    fourteenth    century  was  palace,  the  summer  residence  of 

TV/»;V'\    throne,   the  capital    of  the  Persi.an  kings. 

'J  imour   or  Tamerlane,   a    great  394.   Hispahan,  Ispahan 


344 


PARADISE  LOST. 


[Book  XI 


In  Mosco,  or  the  Sultan  in  Bizance,  89fi 

Turcliestan-born ;  nor  could  his  eye  not  ken 

The  empire  of  Negus,  to  his  utmost  port 

Ercoco,  and  the  less  maritime  kings, 

Mombaza  and  Quiloa  and  Melind, 

And  Sofala,  thought  Ophir,  to  the  realm  400 

Of  Congo,  and  Angola  farthest  south  ; 

Or  thence  from  Niger  flood  to  Atlas  mount, 

The  kingdoms  of  Alinansor,  Fez  and  Sus, 

Morocco  and  Algiers  and  Tremisen  ; 

On  Europe  thence,  and  where  Rome  was  to  sway    405 

The  world  :  in  spirit  perhaps  he  also  saw 

Rich  Mexico  the  seat  of  Montezume, 

Ajid  Cusco  in  Peru,  the  richer  seat 

Of  Atabalipa,  and  yet  unspoiled 

Guiana,  whose  great  city  Geryon's  sons  410 


395.  Mosco,  Moscow,  formerly 
the  capital  of  the  Muscovite  or 
Russian  Empire,  and  the  seat  of 
the  Czar.  —  Bizance,  Byzantium, 
now  Constantinople 

896.  Turchestan  -  born,  de- 
scended from  the  natives  of 
Turchestan,  or  Turkestan,  a 
province  of  Central  Asia.  —  nni 
could  his  eye  not  ken,  and  his 
eye  could  ken.     See  I.  335. 

397.  T/ie  empire  of  Negus, 
Abyssinia,  the  ancient  Ethiopia, 
lying  west  of  the  Red  Sea.  In 
the  Ethiopian  language,  Negus 
signifies  king.  — his,  its. 

398.  Ercoco,  Erocco,  or  Arkeeko, 
a  port  on  the  Red  Sea.  —  the  less 
maritime  kings,  the  maritime 
kings  (those  whose  dominions 
lay  along  the  coast)  who  were  less 
than  the  Negus,  or  inferior  in 
power  to  him. 

399.  These  seaports  are  on  the 
eastern  coast  of  Africa.  —  Melind^ 
Melinda  or  Melinde. 

400.  thought  Ophir.  It  has 
keen  conjectured  that  Sofala  is 
the  0/ihir  of  Scripture,  whence 
gold  and  precious  stones  were 
Srought  to  Solomon.  See  1  Kings 
t  11 


401.  Congo  and  Angola  are  on 
the  western  coast  of  Africa.  An- 
gola is  south  of  Congo. 

402.  Niger  food,  the  river 
Niger. —  Atlas  mount,  the  chain 
of  mountains  on  the  south  of 
the  Bai-bary  States. 

403.  404.  Tke  kingdoms  of 
Almnnsor  were  in  the  north- 
western and  northern  part  of 
Africa.  Morocco  and  Fez  are  on 
the  -western  or  Atlantic,  while 
Sus  (or  Susa)  and  Algiers,  ai-e  on 
or  near  the  northern  or  Mediter- 
ranean coast. 

404.  Tremisen  was  between 
Tunis  and  Morocco. 

407  Montezume,  Montezuma, 
who  reigned  in  Mexico  at  the 
time  that  it  was  invaded  by  the 
Spaniards  under  Cortez. 

408.  Cusco  was  the  capital  of 
Peru  under  the  Incas,  or  native 
kings. 

409.  Atabalipa  was  the  last  of 
the  Incas,  and  was  conquered  by 
Pizarro.  —  yet  unspoiled,  not  ye* 
spoiled  or  robbed  of  its  riches. 

410.  Geryon^s  sons,  the  Spaa 
iards.  Geryon  was  a  monster, 
slain  by  Hercules  after  he  had 
crossed   the  straits   which  sepa 


Book  XL]  PARADISE  LOST.  345 

Call  El  Dorado.     But  to  nobler  sights 

Michael  from  Adam's  eyes  the  film  removed, 

Which  that  false  fruit  tliat  promised  clearer  sight 

Had  bred ;   then  purged  with  euphrasy  and  rue 

The  visual  nerve  (for  he  had  much  to  see),  4U 

A.nd  from  the  "well  of  life  three  drops  instilled. 

So  deep  the  power  of  these  ingredients  pierced, 

Even  to  the  inmost  seat  of  mental  sight, 

That  Adam,  now  enforced  to  close  his  eyes. 

Sunk  down,  and  all  his  spirits  became  intranced  ;    420 

But  him  the  gentle  angel  by  the  hand 

Soon  raised,  and  his  attention  thus  recalled : 

"  Adam,  now  ope  thine  eyes,  and  first  behold 
The  effects  which  thy  original  crime  hath  Avrought 
In  some  to  spring  from  thee,  who  never  touched      425 
The  excepted  tree,  nor  with  the  snake  conspired, 
Nor  sinned  thy  sin,  yet  from  that  sin  derive 
Corruption  to  bring  forth  more  violent  deeds.'' 

His  eyes  he  opened,  and  beheld  a  field, 
Part  arable  and  tilth,  whereon  were  sheaves  430 

New  reaped,  the  other  part  sheep-walks  and  folds ; 
In  the  midst  an  altar  as  the  landmark  stood, 
Rustic,  of  grassy  sord  ;  thither  anon 
A  sweaty  reaper  from  his  tillage  brought 
First-fruits,  the  green  ear  and  the  yellow  sheaf        435 
Uncalled,  as  came  to  hand  ;  a  shepherd  next, 

rate  Africa    from    Spain,   in    or        426.     The    excepted    tree.     See 

aear  which   country   Geryon    is  Gsnesis  ii.  IS,  17. 

(abled  to  have  reigned.  430    ,.iUh,  tilled  ground 

411.    El  Dorado  (the  Gilded  or        4-33.    snrd,  sward. 
Golden),     the  great  city   always        435.    First-fruits.      "And  in 

lought  in  vain.  process  of  time  it  came  to  pass 

413.  that  false  fruit.     See  Gen-  that  Cain  brought  of  the  fruit  of 
Bsis  iii.  6.  the  ground  an  otTering  unto  tlw 

414.  euphrasi/,  the  plant  called  Lord."     Genesis  iv.  3. 
eye-bright.     This,  as  well  as  the        43)3-447.     See  Genesis  iv.  4-8 
herb  rue,  was  formerly  suppo.sed 

to  benefit  the  sight. 


546  PARADISE  LOST.  [BookXX 

More  meek,  came  with  the  firstlings  of  his  flock 

Choicest  and  best  ;  then  sacrificing  laid 

The  inwards  and  their  fat  with  incense  strewed 

On  the  cleft  wood,  and  all  due  rites  performed.        44C 

His  offering  soon  propitious  fire  from  heaven 

Consumed  with  nimble  glance  and  grateful  steam ; 

The  other's  not,  for  his  wiis  not  sincere ; 

Whereat  he  inly  raged,  and  as  they  talked 

Smote  him  into  the  midriff  with  a  stone  445 

That  beat  out  life  ;  he  fell,  and  deadly  pale 

Groaned  out  his  soul  with  gushing  blood  effused. 

Much  at  that  sight  was  Adam  in  his  heart 

Dismayed,  and  thus  in  haste  to  the  angel  cried  : 

"  O  teacher,  some  great  mischief  hath  befallen     450 
To  that  meek  man,  who  well  had  sacrificed ;  — 
Is  piety  thus  and  pure  devotion  paid  ?  " 

To  whom  Michael  thus,  he  also  moved,  replied  : 
"  These  two  are  brethren,  Adam,  and  to  come 
Out  of  thy  loins  ;  the  unjust  the  just  hath  slain,      455 
For  envy  that  his  brother's  offering  found 
From  Heaven  acceptance ;  but  the  bloody  fact 
Will  be  avenged,  and  the  other's  faith  approved 
Lose  no  reward,  though  here  thou  see  him  die, 
Rolling  in  dust  and  gore."     To  which  our  sire  r       460 

"  Alas,  both  for  the  deed  and  for  the  cause  I 
But  have  I  now  seen  death  ?     Is  this  the  way 
I  must  return  to  native  dust  ?     O  sight 
Of  terror,  foul  and  ugly  to  behold. 
Horrid  to  think,  how  horrible  to  feel !  "  465 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Death  thou  hast  seen 

443.  not^  it  consumed  not.  453.  moved,  affected. 

452.  paid,  repaid.  457.  fact,  deed. 


Book  XI. J  PARADISE  LOST.  847 

In  bis  firet  shape  on  man  ;  but  many  shapes 

Of  death,  and  many  are  the  ways  that  lead 

To  his  grim  cave,  all  dismal  ;  yet  to  sense 

More  terrible  at  the  entrance  than  within.  470 

Some,  as  thou  saw'st,  by  violent  stroke  shall  die, 

By  fire,  flood,  famine  ;  by  intemperance  more 

In  meats  and  drinks,  which  on  the  earth  shall  bring 

Diseases  dire,  of  which  a  monstrous  crew 

Before  thee  shall  appear ;  that  thou  may'st  know    475 

What  misery  the  inabstinence  of  Eve 

Shall  bring  on  men."     Immediately  a  place 

Before  his  eyes  appeared,  sad,  noisome,  dark  ; 

A  lazar-house  it  seemed,  wherein  were  laid 

Numbei^  of  all  diseased,  all  maladies  480 

Of  ghastly  spasm  or  racking  torture,  qualms 

Of  heart- sick  agony,  all  feverous  kinds. 

Convulsions,  epilepsies,  fierce  catai-rhs, 

Intestine  stone  and  ulcer,  colic  pangs. 

Demoniac  phrenzy,  moping  melancholy,  485 

And  moon-struck  madness,  pining  atrophy. 

Marasmus,  and  wide-wasting  pestilence. 

Dropsies,  and  asthmas,  and  joint-racking  rheums. 

Dire  was  the  tossing,  deep  the  groans;  Despair 

Tended  the  sick,  busiest  from  couch  to  couch  ;         19(? 

And  over  them  triumphant  Death  his  dart 

Shook,  but  delayed  to  strike,  though  oft  invoked 

With  vows,  as  their  chief  good  and  final  hope. 

Sight  so  deform  what  heart  of  rock  could  lon^ 

Dry-eyed  behold  ?     Adam  could  not,  but  wept,      495 

Though  not  of  woman  born ;  compassion  quelled 


467.   many  shapes,  many  are  4S5.  phrenzy,  frenzy. 

ttie  shapes.  4S7.     3Iaras}nus,     a     wasting 

476.    inabstinence,    indulgence  away, 

of  appetite;  excess.  4S8.  r/i<?i/w25,  rheumatisms. 

479.  lazar-house,  a  hospital  or  493.  roiW,  eager  wishes  ;  pray- 
pest-hou.'se.  ers. 

480.  of  all  diseased,  having  all  494.  dejorm,  out   of   form    or 
finds  of  diseases.  shape;  disfigured;  ghastly. 


348  PARADISE  LOST  [Book  XI 

His  best  of  man,  and  gave  him  up  to  tears 

A  space,  till  firmer  thoughts  restrained  excess  ; 

And  scarce  recovering  words  his  plaint  renewed* 

"  O  miserable  mankind,  to  what  fall  500 

Degraded,  to  what  wretched  state  reserved  ! 
Better  end  here  unborn.      Why  Is  life  given 
To  be  thus  wrested  from  us  ?  rather  why 
Obtruded  on  us  thus,  who,  if  we  knew 
What  we  receive,  would  either  not  accept  505 

Life  oifered,  or  soon  beg  to  lay.  it  down, 
Glad  to  be  so  dismissed  in  peace  ?      Can  thus 
The  image  of  God  in  man,  created  once 
So  goodly  and  erect,  though  foulty  since, 
To  such  unsightly  sufferings  be  debased  510 

Under  inhuman  pains  ?      Why  should  not  man. 
Retaining  still  divine  similitude 
In  part,  from  such  deformities  be  free. 
And  for  his  Maker's  image  sake  exempt  ?  "  514 

"  Their  Maker's  image,"  answered  Michael,  "  then 
Forsook  them,  when  themselves  they  vilified 
To  serve  ungoverned  appetite,  and  took 
His  image  whom  they  served,  a  brutish  vice, 
Inductive  mainly  to  the  sin  of  Eve. 
Therefore  so  abject  is  their  punishment,  53c 

Disfiguring  not  God's  likeness  but  their  own, 
Or  if  his  likeness,  by  themselves  defaced, 
While  they  pervert  pure  nature's  healthful  rules 
To  loathsome  sickness  ;  worthily,  since  they 
God's  image  did  not  reverence  in  themselves."  525 


497.  His  best  of  man,  his  ut-  518.  His  ima^e,  the  image  of 

Biost  manliness.  appetite  (personified). 

502.  Better  end  here,  it  would  519.  Imhictive  mainly  to,  chief 

be  better  that  the  race  of  man  temptation  to  or  occasion  of.   ;  ce 

ihould  end  here.  IX.  739. 


B-WB  XL]  PARADISE  LOST.  349 

"  I  yield  it  just,"  said  Adam,  "  and  submit. 
But  is  there  yet  no  other  Avay  besides 
These  painful  passages,  how  we  may  come 
To  death,  and  mix  Avith  our  connatural  dust  ?  "       628 

"  There  is,"  said  Michael,  "  if  thou  well  observe 
The  rule  of  Not  too  iuucli,  by  temperance  taught, 
In  what  thou  eat'st  and  drink'st,  seeking  from  thenc** 
Due  nourishment,  not  gluttonous  delight. 
Till  many  years  over  thy  head  return : 
So  may  est  thou  live,  till  like  ripe  fruit  thou  drop 
Into  thy  mother's  lap,  or  be  Avith  ease  536 

Gathered,  not  harshly  plucked,  for  death  mature. 
This  is  old  age  ;  but  then  thou  must  outlive 
Thy    youth,    thy   strength,    thy    beauty,   which    will 

change 
To  withered,  weak,  and  gray  ;  thy  senses  then        540 
Obtuse  all  taste  of  pleasure  must  forego 
To  what  thou  hast ;  and  for  the  air  of  youth, 
Hopeful  and  cheerful,  in  thy  blood  will  reign 
A  melancholy  damp  of  cold  and  dry. 
To  weigh  thy  spirits  down  and  last  consume  546 

The  balm  of  life."     To  whom  our  ancestor  : 

"  Henceforth  I  fly  not  death,  nor  would  prolong 
Life  much ;  bent  rather  how  I  may  be  quit 
Fairest  and  easiest  of  this  cumbrous  charge, 
Which  I  must  keep  till  my  appointed  day  550 

Of  rendering  up,  and  patiently  attend 
My  dissolution."     Michael  replied  : 

526.  it  just,  that  it  is  just.  543.  how,  to  learn  how. 

529.  cojinalural,    of  the  same  550.  must  keep.    "All  the  dayi 

nature.  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait 

535.  "  Thou  Shalt  come  to  thy  till  my  change  come."    Jcb.xiV 

frave  in  a  full  age,  like  as  a  shock  14. 

of  corn  Cometh  in  in  his  season."  551.  attend,  await. 
Job  V.  26. 

542.  See  Ecclesiastes  xii.  1-5. 
^for,  instead  of. 


850  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XI- 

"  Nor  love  thy  life,  nor  liate  ;  but  what  thou  liv'st 
Live  well,  how  long  or  short  permit  to  Heaven  : 
And  now  prepare  thee  for  another  sight."  656 

He  looked,  and  saw  a  spacious  plain,  whereon 
Were  tents  of  various  hue  ;  by  some  were  herds 
Of  cattle  grazing  ;  others,  whence  the  sound 
Of  instruments  that  made  melodious  chime 
Was  heard,  of  harp  and  organ,  and  who  moved       560 
Their  stops  and  chords  was  seen  ;  his  volant  touch 
Instinct  through  all  proportions  low  and  high, 
Fled  and  pursued  transverse  the  resonant  fugue. 
In  other  part  stood  one  who,  at  the  forge 
Laboring,  two  massy  clods  of  iron  and  brass  665 

Had  melted  (whether  found  where  casual  fire 
Had  wasted  woods  on  mountain  or  in  vale 
Down  to  the  veins  of  earth,  thence  gliding  hot 
To  some  cave's  mouth,  or  whether  washed  by  stream 
From  underground)  ;  the  liquid  ore  he  drained       570 
Into  fit  moulds  prepared,  from  which  he  formed 
Fii'st     his    own    tools,    then    what    might    else    be 

wrought 
Fusil  or  graven  in  metal.     After  these, 
But  on  the  hither  side,  a  different  sort  574 

From  the  high  neighboring  hills,  which  was  their  seat, 
Down  to  the  plain  descended  :  by  their  guise 
Just  men  they  seemed,  and  all  their  study  bent 
To  worship  God  aright  and  know  his  Avorks 
Not  hid,  nor  those  things  last  which  might  preserve 

553.  Nor,  neither.  across    the    strings.  —  resonant, 

556-573.  See  Genesis  iv.  20-22.  sounding  ;  or,  perhaps,  sounding 

558.  others^  others  there  were.  again,   re-sounding,  as    the  fw 

560.  who^  he  who.  gue  is  a  repetition. 

561.  volant^  flying;  quick  and  573.  F«si7,  made  fluid  by  heat, 
light.  573-592.    See  Genesis  vi.  1,  2. 

562.  Jns^mcf,  as  if  by  instinct ;  579.  nor  those  things  last,  not 
Instinctively.  were     those    things    last    theix 

563.  transverse.       This   prob-    study. 
fcbly  means    running    along    or 


5ookXI.]  paradise  lost.  351 

Freedom  and  peace  to  men  :  tliey  on  the  plain       680 

Long  had  not  walked,  when  from  the  tents  behold 

A  bevy  of  fair  women,  richly  gay 

In  gems  and  wanton  dress ;  to  the  harp  they  sung 

Soil  amorous  ditties,  and  in  dance  came  on. 

The  men,  though  grave,  eyed  them,  and  let  their  eyes 

Rove  without  rein,  till  in  the  amorous  net  506 

Fast  caught. they  liked,  and  each  his  liking  chose  ; 

And  now  of  love  they  treat,  till  the  evening  star, 

Love's  harbinger,  appeared ;  then  all  in  heat 

They  light  the  nuptial  torch,  and  bid  invoke  590 

Hymen,  then  first  to  marriage-rites  invoked  : 

With  feast  and  music  all  the  tents  resound. 

Such  happy  interview  and  fair  event 

Of  love  and  youth  not  lost,  songs,  garlands,  flowers, 

And  charming  symphonies,  attached  the  heart         695 

Of  Adam,  soon  inclined  to  admit  delight. 

The  bent  of  nature  ;  which  he  thus  expressed : 

"  True  opener  of  mine  eyes,  prime  angel  blest  1 
Much  better  seems  this  vision,  and  more  hope 
Of  peaceful  days  portends,  than  those  two  past ;      600 
Those  were  of  hate  and  death,  or  pain  much  worse ; 
Here  nature  seems  fulfilled  in  all  her  ends." 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Judge  not  what  is  best 
By  pleasure,  though  to  nature  seeming  meet, 
Created,  as  thou  art,  to  nobler  end,  605 

Holy  and  pure,  conformity  divine. 
Those  tents  thou  saw'st  so  pleasant  were  the  tenta 
Of  wickedness,  wherein  shall  dwell  his  race 
Who  slew  his  brother ;  studious  they  appear 
Of  arts  that  polish  life  inventors  rare ;  610 

688.  treaty  talk ;  discourse.  593.  event,  consequence. 

591    Hymen,  the  god  of  mar-        595.  attached,  seized  upon. 
nage.  G07.   Those  tents.    See  line  557 


352  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XI. 

Unmindful  of  their  Maker,  tlioiigli  his  Spirit 

Taught  them,  but  they  his  gifts  acknowledged  none. 

Yet  they  a  beauteous  offspring  shall  beget ; 

For  that  fair  female  troop  thou  saw'st,  that  seemed 

Of  goddesses,  so  blithe,  so  smooth,  so  gay,  6M 

Yet  empty  of  all  good  wherein  consists 

Woman's  domestic  honor  and  chief  praise, 

Bred  only  and  completed  to  the  taste 

Of  lustful  appetence,  to  sing,  to  dance. 

To  dress,  and  troll  the  tongue,  and  roll  the  eye  ;  —  620 

To  these,  that  sober  race  of  men,  whose  lives 

Religious  titled  them  the  sons  of  God, 

Shall  yield  up  all  their  virtue,  all  their  fame, 

Ignobly,  to  the  trains  and  to  the  smiles 

Of  these  fair  atheists,  and  now  swim  in  joy,  Q2b 

Ere  long  to  swim  at  large ;  and  laugh,  for  which 

The  world  ere  long  a  world  of  teai*s  must  weep." 

To  whom  thus  Adam,  of  short  joy  bereft  : 
"  O  pity  and  shame,  that  they  who  to  live  well 
Entered  so  fair  should  turn  aside  to  tread  630 

Paths  indirect,  or  in  the  midway  faint ! 
But  still  I  see  the  tenor  of  man's  woe 
Holds  on  the  same,  from  woman  to  begin.'* 

"  From  man's  effeminate  slackness  it  begins," 
Said  the  angel,  "  who  should  better  hold  his  place 
By  wisdom  and  superior  gifts  received.  636 

But  now  prepare  thee  for  another  scene." 

He  looked,  and  saw  wide  territory  spread 
Before  him,  towns,  and  rural  works  betweep, 
Cities  of  men  with  lofty  gates  and  towers,  64t 

614-620    This  is  an  incomplete        624.  trains,  wiles  ;  artifices, 
sentence  ;  these  in  line  621  refers        626.  at  large,  au  allusion  to  tht 
to  fair  female  troop.  deluge. 

620    troll,  to  roll ;  to  move  vol- 
ubly. 


Book  XL]  PARADISE  LOST.  358 

Concoui*se  In  arms,  fierce  faces  threatening  war, 

Giants  of  mighty  bone  and  bohl  emprise ; 

Part  wield  their  arms,  part  curb  the  foaming  steed, 

Single  or  in  array  of  battle  ranged, 

Both  horse  and  foot,  nor  I<lly  mustering  stood  ;        (Jia 

One  way  a  band  select  from  forage  drives 

A  herd  of  beeves,  fair  oxen  and  fair  kine, 

From  a  fat  meadow-ground,  or  fleecy  flock, 

Ewes  and  their  bleating  lambs  over  the  ])kiin, 

Their  booty ;  scarce  with  life  the  shepherds  lly,        650 

But  call  in  aid,  which  makes  a  bloody  fray. 

With  cruel  tournament  the  squadrons  join  ; 

Where  cattle  pastured  late,  now  scattered  lies 

With  carcasses  and  arms  the  ensanguined  field 

Deserted :  others  to  a  city  strong  655 

Lay  siege,  encamped,  by  battery,  scale,  and  mine 

Assaulting ;  others  from  the  wall  defend 

With  dart  and  javelin,  stones,  and  sulphurous  fire  ; 

On  each  hand  slaughter  and  gigantic  deeds. 

In  other  parts  the  sceptred  heralds  call  60) 

To  council  in  the  city  gates  ;  anon 

Gray-headed  men  and  grave,  with  warriors  mixed. 

Assemble,  and  harangues  are  heard,  but  soon 

In  factious  opposition  ;  till  at  last 

Of  middle  age  one  rising,  eminent  665 

In  wise  deport,  spake  much  of  right  and  wrong, 

Of  justice,  of  religion,  truth  and  peace, 

And  judgment  from  above  :  him  old  and  young 

Exploded,  and  had  seized  with  violent  hands 

Had  not  a  cloud  descending  snatched  him  thence   670 

642.     Giants.      "There    were  666.  rff/Jor^,  deportment ;  bear- 
giants    in    the    earth    in    those  \ng.  — spake  murk.      See  Jude, 
days."     Genesi.'i  vi,  4.  —  emprise,  ver.*es  14-16. 
»iit€rprise.  669.    Exploded,  hi.-J.sed  oDF,  as  it 

646.  from,  returning  from.  were  ;    rudely   refused   to    hear. 

664.  ensnngiiintd,  made  bloody  See  X.  546. 

656.  scale,    scaUug    with    lad-        670.  "  And  Enoch  walked  with 
ders.  God,  and  he  was   not,   for  God 

665.  one,  Enoch.  took  him."    Gene.-iis  r.  24. 

23 


554  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XI 

Unseen  amid  the  throng  ;  so  violence 

Proceeded,  and  oppression  and  sword-law, 

Through  all  the  plain,  and  refuge  none  was  found. 

Adam  was  all  in  tears,  and  to  his  guide 

Lamenting  turned  full  sad  :   "  O  what  are  these  I     675 

Death's  ministers,  not  men,  who  thus  deal  death 

Inhumanly  to  men,  and  multiply 

Ten  thousand-fold  the  sin  of  him  who  slew 

His  brother  ;  for  of  whom  such  massacre 

Make  they  but  of  their  brethren,  men  of  men  ?       630 

But  who  was  that  just  man,  whom  had  not  Heaven 

Rescued,  had  in  his  righteousness  been  lost  ?  " 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  These  are  the  product 
Of  those  ill-mated  marriages  thou  saw'st, 
Where  good  with  bad  were  matched,  who  of  them- 
selves 686 
Abhor  to  join,  and  by  imprudence  mixed 
Produce  prodigious  births  of  body  or  mind. 
Such  were  these  giants,  men  of  high  renown, 
For  in  those  da^^s  might  only  shall  be  admired 
And  valor  and  heroic  virtue  called  :                           690 
To  overcome  in  battle,  and  subdue 
Nations,  and  bring  home  spoils  with  infinite 
Man-slaughter,  shall  be  held  the  highest  pitch 
Of  human  glory,  and  for  glory  done 
Of  triumph  to  be  styled  great  conquerors,                 ©5 
Patrons  of  mankind,  gods,  and  sons  of  gods  ; 
Destroyers  rightlier  called,  and  plagues  of  men. 

671-673.  See  Genesis  ri.  5.  694.  and  for  glory  done,  oftri- 

676.  ministers,  servants.  umpli.    This  difficult  passage  has 

681.  lohom  had  not  Heaven  res-  been  variously  explained.  It  may 

ewe:/,   who  if    Heaven  had    not  be  thus  rendered,  a/u/ io  ^e.'s^t/^ed 

rescued  him.  great  cone  uerors,  patrons  of  man- 

687.  prodigious,  monstrous.  kind,  go(  s,  and  sons  of  gods,  oq 

688.  meji    of     high    renoum.  account  of   glorious   deeds   per 
'•'  The  same  became  mighty  men  formed,  shall  be  held  the  highesf 
which  were  of  old,  men  of  re-  pitch  (line  693)  of  triumph, 
nown."    Genesis  vi.  4. 


Book  XL]  PARADISE  LOST.  355 

Tiius  fame  shall  be  acliievecl,  renown  on  earth, 

And  what  most  merits  fame  in  silence  hid. 

But  he,  the  seventh  from  thee,  whom  thou  beheld'st 

The  only  righteous  in  a  world  perverse  701 

And  therefore  hated,  therefore  so  beset 

With  foes,  for  daring  single  to  be  just. 

And  utter  odious  truth,  that  God  would  come 

To  judge    them  with    his    saints ;  —  him    the    ]\Iost 

High, 
Rapt  in  a  balmy  cloud,  with  winged  steeds,  706 

Did,  as  thou  saw'st,  receive,  to  walk  with  God 
High  in  salvation  and  the  climes  of  bliss. 
Exempt  from  death ;  to  show  thee  Avhat  reward 
Awaits  the  good,  the  rest  Avhat  punishment ;  710 

Which  now  direct  thine  eyes  and  soon  behold." 

He    looked,    and    saw    the    face    of  things    quite 
changed : 
The  brazen  t-hroat  of  war  had  ceased  to  roar ; 
All  now  was  turned  to  jollity  and  game, 
To  luxury  and  riot,  feast  and  dance,  71b 

Marrying  or  prostituting,  as  befell. 
Rape  or  adultery,  where  passing  fair 
Allured  them  ;  thence  from  cups  to  civil  broils. 
At  length  a  reverend  sire  among  them  came 
And  of  their  doings  great  dislike  declared,  720 

And  testified  against  their  ways  ;  he  oft 
Frequented  their  assemblies,  whereso  met, 

703.  5/nf?^,  singly  ;  alone.  and  took  them  a-way."    Matthew 

704.  the  odious  truth,  the  trwth     xxiv.  38,  39. 

!l»teful  to  them.  716.     as    ^efell,    as    it    might 

711.    Which  is  the    object    of  chance. 

behold.  717.  passing    seems    to    mean 

714.  "In  the  days  tha*  were  surpassingly, 

before  the   flood,  they  were  eat-  718.    cups,       drinTving.  —  civil 

big  and  drinking,  marrying  and  broils,  intestine  quarrels, 

giving  in  marriage,  until  the  day  719.  See  Genesis  vi.  9. 

Chat  Noe  entered  the  ark  ;  and  722.  whereso,  wheresoevei 
Knew  not,  until  the  flood  came 


550  PARADISE  LOST.  ^  {.Book  XL 

rriumphs  or  festivals,  and  to  them  preaclied 

Conversion  and  repentance,  as  to  souls 

In  prison  under  judgments  imminent,  rJB 

But  all  in  vain  ;  which  Avhen  he  saw,  he  ceased 

Contending,  and  removed  his  tents  far  off.     • 

Then  from  the  mountain  hewing  timber  tall 

Began  to  build  a  vessel  of  huge  bulk,  729 

Measured  by  cubit,  length  and  breadth  and  height, 

Smeared  round  with  pitch,  and  in  the  side  a  door 

Contrived,  and  of  provisions  laid  in  large 

For  man  and  beast :  when  lo,  a  wonder  strange  ! 

Of  every  beast,  and  bird,  and  insect  small  734 

Came  sevens  and  pairs,  and  entered  in,  as  taught 

Their  order ;  last  the  sire  and  his  three  sons, 

With  their  four  wives  ;  and  God  made  fast  the  door. 

Meanwhile    the    south  wind    rose,    and,   with    black 

wings 
Wide  hovering,  all  the  clouds  together  drove 
From  under  heaven  ;  the  hills  to  their  supply  740 

Yapor  and  exhalation  dusk  and  moist 
Sent  up  amain ;  and  now  the  thickened  sky 
Like  a  dark  ceiling  stood ;  down  rushed  the  rain 
Impetuous,  and  continued  till  the  earth 
No  more  was  seen  :  the  floating  vessel  swum  745 

Uplifted,  and  secure  with  beaked  prow 
Rode  tilting  o'er  the  waves  ;  all  dwellings  else 
Flood  overwhelmed,  and  them  with  all  their  pomp 
Deep  under  water  rolled  ;  sea  covered  sea, 
Sea  without  shore  ;  and  in  their  palaces,  760 

Where  luxury  late  reigned,  sea-monsters  whelped 
And  stabled  ;  of  mankind,  so  numerous  late, 

723.  preached.  See  2  Peter  ii.  5.  745.  swum.      "  The  ark  went 

725.  In  jirison.     "  The  spirits  upon  the   face    of    the  waters." 

to  prison."     1  Peter  iii.  19.  Genesis  vii.  18. 

728-753.    See  Genesis  vl.   and  746.  beaker/,  sharp-pointed  ;  !»> 

I^i.  senibling  a  beak. 

732.  large,  large  store  ;  largely.  747.  all  dwellings  else,  all  othflf 

740.  their,  of  the  clouds.  dwellings. 


Book  XL]  PARADISE  LOST.  357 

All  left  in  one  small  bottom  swum  imbarked. 

Flow  (liil'st  thou  grieve  then,  Adam,  to  behold 

The  end  of  all  thy  ofTspring,  end  so  sad,  755 

Depopulation  !  thee  another  flood, 

Of  teai-s  and  sorrow  a  flood,  thee  also  drowned, 

And  sunk  thee  as  thy  sons  ;  till  gently  reared 

By  the  angel,  on  thy  feet  thou  stood'st  at  last, 

Though  comfortless,  as  when  a  father  mourns  76^ 

His  children,  all  in  view  destroyed  at  once  ; 

And  scarce  to  the  angel  utteredst  thus  thy  plaint : 

,  "  O  visions  ill  foreseen  !  better  had  I 
Lived  ignorant  of  future,  so  had  borne 
My  part  of  evil  only,  each  day's  lot  765 

Enough  to  bear ;  those  now,  that  were  dispensed 
The  burden  of  many  ages,  on  me  light 
At  once,  by  my  foreknowledge  gaining  birth 
Abortive,  to  torment  me  ere  their  being 
With  thought  that  they  must  be.     Let  no  man  seek 
Henceforth  to  be  foretold  what  shall  befall  771 

Him  or  his  children ;  evil  he  may  be  sure, 
Which  neither  his  foreknowing  can  prevent, 
And  he  the  future  evil  shall   no  less 
In  apprehension  than  in  substance  feel  775 

Grievous  to  bear  :  but  that  care  now  is  past, 
Man  is  not  whom  to  warn  ;  those  few  escaped 
Famine  and  anguish  will  at  last  consume, 
Wandering  that  watery  desert.     I  had  hope, 
When  violence  was  ceased  and  war  on  earth,  730 

All  would  have  then  gone  well,  peace  would  have 
crowned 

753.  ^/He/^,  all  that  were  left.  774.  Ami  — no  less  is  equiva 

-t>o«o?73,  vessel.  lent  f  nor — 'ess. 

76S.  Enough.     "  Suffirieno  un-  777.  Man  is  not  iv/io?}!  to  warn, 

to  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof."  no  man  exists  \v!jo  can  be  warned, 

alatthew    vi.    34. — t/iose,   those  779.      WanUerin){,     wandering 

evils. —  dispensed,  dealt  out   by  over, 
portions  as. 


358  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XI, 

With  length  of  happy  clays  the  race  of  man : 

But  I  was  far  deceived  ;  for  now  I  see 

Peace  to  corrupt  no  less  than  war  to  waste. 

How  comes  it  thus  ?  unfold,  celestial  guide,  781 

And  whether  here  the  race  of  man  will  end." 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Those,  whom  last  thou 
saw'st 
In  triumph  and  luxurious  Avealth,  are  they 
First  seen  in  acts  of  prowess  eminent 
And  great  exploits,  but  of  true  virtue  void  ;  790 

Who  having  spilt  much  blood  and  done  much  waste  • 
Subduing  nations,  and  achieved  thereby 
Fame  in  the  world,  high  titles,  and  rich  prey, 
Shall  change  their  course  to  pleasure,  ease,  and  sloth, 
Surfeit,  and  lust,  till  wantonness  and  pride  795 

Raise  out  of  friendship  hostile  deeds  in  peace. 
The  conquered  also  and  enslaved  by  war 
Shall,  with  their  freedom  lost,  all  virtue  lose 
And  fear  of  God,  from  whom  their  piety  feigned 
In  sharp  contest  of  battle  found  no  aid  800 

Against  invaders  ;  therefore  cooled  in  zeal 
Thenceforth  shall  practise  how  to  live  secure, 
Worldly  or  dissolute,  on  what  their  lords 
Sliall  leave  them  to  enjoy ;  for  the  earth  shall  bear 
More  than  enough,  that  temperance  may  be  tried. 
So  all  shall  turn  degenerate,  all  depraved,  808 

Justice  and  temperance,  truth  and  faith  forgot; 
One  man  except,  the  only  son  of  light 
In  a  dark  age,  against  example  good. 
Against  allurement,  custom,  and  a  world  810 

784.  That  peace    corrupts    no    suhjoct    of   this    verb,   see    line 
less  than  war  wastes.  7ii7. 

785.  vnfol/J,  explain ;    declare      .  808.  except,  excepted. 

tow  it  comes  to  be  tlius.  809.     against     evcnviple    good, 

789.  First,  previously.  good    notwithstanding    the    ^x- 

796.  in  peace,  in  time  of  peace,  ample  of  evil   about   him.     See 

802.  shall  practise.      For    the  V.  900-902 


BookXI-I  paradise  lost.  259 

Offended ;  fearless  of  reproach  and  scorn, 

Or  violence,  he  of  their  Avickcd  ways 

Shall  them  admonish,  and  before  them  set 

The  paths  of  righteousness  how  much  more  safe 

And  full  of  peace,  denouncing  wrath  to  come  616 

On  their  impenitence  ;  and  shall  return 

Of  them  derided,  but  of  God  observed 

The  one  just  man  alive  ;  by  his  command 

Shall  build  a  wondrous  ark,  as  thou  beheld'st, 

To  save  himself  and  household  from  amidst  820 

A  Avorld  devote  to  universal  Avrack. 

No  sooner  he,  witli  them  of  man  and  beast 

Select  for  life,  shall  in  the  ark  be  lodged 

And  sheltered  round,  but  all  the  cataracts 

Of  heaven  set  open  on  the  earth  shall  pour  825 

Rain  day  and  night ;  all  fountains  of  the  deep 

Broke  up  shall  heave  the  ocean  to  usurp 

Beyond  all  bounds,  till  inundation  rise 

Above  the  highest  hills  :  then  shall  this  mount 

Of  Paradise  by  might  of  waves  be  moved  830 

Oat  of  his  place,  pushed  by  the  horned  flood, 

With  all  his  verdure  spoiled  and  trees  adrift, 

Down  the  great  river  to  the  opening  gulf, 

And  there  take  root  an  island  salt  and  bare, 

The  haunt  of  seals,  and  ores,  and  sea-mews'  clang : 

To  teach  thee  that  God  attributes  to  place  836 

815.  full  of  peace.    "  All   her  Scriptures.    The  poet  seems  also 

paths  are  peace."    Proverbs  iii.  to  have  had  in  mind  the  common 

l7.  meaning  of  the  word. 

817.  P/;  by.  82(3.    all  fountains.    "All  the 

818.  just.     "  Noah  was  a  just  fountains    of   the  great    deep." 
man."    Genesis  vi.  9.  Genesis  vii.  11. 

821.     devote.,    devoted;    given  831.   his^  its. — horned.    This 

up.  —  u'mcA;,  wreck.  epithet  was  applied  by  the  an- 

_  823.   Select  for  life,  chosen  to  cients  to  rivers.     Virgil  gives  the 

live.  rushing  Po   the  head  and  homa 

824.  cataracts,  in   Genesis  vii.  of  a  bull. 

II,  windows.     The   former  word  835.  ores,  animnls  of  the  cota 

(cataracts)  is  a  translation  from  ceous    or    whale     ordsr;     gram 

the   Greek,  the  latter  (windows)  puses. — clang.       See    VIJ".    i22 
ti<.m  the  Hebrew  version  of  the 


5 00  PA RA  DISK  L  OS  T,  [Book  XI 

^o  sanctity,  if  none  be  tliitlicr  brought 

3y  men  who  there  frequent,  or  therein  dwell. 

A.nd  now  what  further  shcill  ensue,  behold." 

He  looked,  and  saw  the  ark  hull  on  the  flood,     84C 
Which  now  abated  ;  for  the  clouds  were  fled, 
Driven  by  a  keen  north  wind,  that  blowing  dry 
Wrinkled  the  face  of  deluge,  as  decayed  ; 
And  the  clear  sun  on  his  wide  watery  glass 
Gazed  hot,  and  of  the  fresh  wave  largely  drew        845 
As  after  thirst,  which  made  their  flowing  shrink 
From  standing  lake  to  tripping  ebb,  that  stole 
With    soft    foot    towards    the    deep,    who    now    had 

stopped 
His  sluices,  as  the  heaven  his  windows  shut.  840 

The  ark  no  more  now  floats,  but  seems  on  ground, 
Fast  on  the  top  of  some  high  mountain  fixed. 
And  now  the  tops  of  hills  as  rocks  appear ; 
With  clamor  thence  the  rapid  currents  drive 
Towards  the  retreating  sea  their  furious  tide. 
Forthwith  from  out  the  ark  a  raven  flies,  865 

And  after  him,  the  surer  messenger, 
A  dove,  sent  forth  once  and  again  to  spy 
Green  tree  or  ground  whereon  his  foot  may  light ; 
The  second  time  returning  in  his  bill 
An  olive-leaf  he  brings,  pacific  sign.  860 

Anon  dry  ground  appears,  and  from  his  ark 
The  ancient  sire  descends  with  all  his  train  ; 
Then  with  uplifted  hands  and  eyes  devout. 
Grateful  to  Heaven,  over  his  head  beholds 
A  dewy  cloud,  and  in  the  cloud  a  bow,  865 

838.  there  frequent,  thither  re-  849.  shut,  had  shut, 

sort  or  throng.  8G0.   pacific  sign,  emblem   of 

840-8G7.  See  Genesis  viii.  peace. 

840.  Am//,  lioat  as  ahull.  865.    a  bow.      "I   do  set  mj 

843.  as  f/ecaije/f,  as  if  dwnyeci.  bow  in  the  cloud.''    See  Qeaesis 

844.  his.  its,  referring  to  /ace.  ix.  12-16. 
846.     their,    of    the    wave    or 

'vavcs. 


Book  XL]  PARADISE  LOST  .861 

Conspicuous  with  three  listed  colors  gay, 
Betokening  peace  from  God  and  covenant  new. 
Whereat  the  heart  of  Adam,  erst  so  sad, 
Greatly  rejoiced,  and  thus  his  joy  broke  forth : 

"  O  thou  who  future  things  canst  represent  870 

As  present,  heavenly  instructor,  I  revive 
At  this  last  sight,  assured  that  man  shall  live 
With  all  the  creatures,  and  their  seed  preserve. 
Far  less  I  now  lament  for  one  whole  world 
Of  wicked  sons  destroyed,  than  I  rejoice  876 

For  one  man  found  so  perfect  and  so  just, 
That  God  vouchsafes  to  raise  another  world 
From  him,  and  all  his  anger  to  forget. 
But  say,  wdiat  mean  those  colored  streaks  in  heaven, 
Distended  as  the  brow  of  God  appeased  ?  880 

Or  serve  they  as  a  flowery  verge  to  bind 
The  fluid  skirts  of  that  same  watery  cloud. 
Lest  it  again  dissolve  and  shower  the  earth  ?  ** 

To    whom    the     Archangel :     "  Dextrously    thou 
alm'st ; 
So  willingly  doth  God  remit  his  ire,  885 

Though  late  repenting  him  of  man  depraved. 
Grieved  at  his  heart  when  looking  down  he  saw 
The  whole  earth  filled  with  violence,  and  all  flesh 
Corrupting  each  their  way  ;  yet,  those  removed, 
Such  grace  shall  one  just  man  find  in  his  sight,        890 
That  he  relents  not  to  blot  out  mankind, 

866.  three,  red,    yellow,   blue.  887.     Grieved.      "And    it    re- 

—  listed,  \nsiv\\)es.  pented    the    Lord   that  he    had 

880.  Distended,  spread.  —  05,  made  man  on  the  earth,  and  it 
as  it  were  ;  like.  grieved  liim  at  his  heart."     Gen- 

881.  serve  they,  ?Gwe  they  only,     esis  vi.  6. 

884.    DexteroKsly  thou  aimest,  889.  removed,  having  been  re- 

rightly  thou  dost  guess.  moved. 

886.  repentin'^  him  of.  repent-  891.  relents  not  to  blot,  gives  uj 

ing  that  he  liad  made— ^  dfjrraced,  his  purpose  of  blottiug 
DOW  fallen  from  innocence. 


362-  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XL 

And  makes  a  covenant  never  to  destro)' 
The  earth  again  by  flood,  nor  let  the  sea 
Surpass  his  bounds,  nor  rain  to  drown  the  world 
With  man  therein  or  beast ;  but  when  he  brings 
Over  the  earth  a  cloud,  will  therein  set  896 

His  triple-colored  bow,  whereon  to  look, 
And  call  to  mind  his  covenant :  day  and  night, 
Seed-time  and  harvest,  heat  and  hoary  frost,  899 

Shall  hold  their  course,  till  fire  purge  all  things  new, 
Both  heaven  and  earth,  wherein  the  just  shall  dwell." 

892.  a  covenant.  See   Genesis    and  svimmer  and  winter,  and  day 
Ix.  8-17.  and  night,  shall  not  cease."   Gen- 

893.  let,  to  let.  esis  viii.  '^2. 

894.  nor,  nor  let.  900.  till  fire  purge   all  things. 

897.  lohereon  to  look,  on  which  See  2  Peter  iii.  12,  13.  —  new,  to 
he  may  look.     See  Genesis  ix.  16.  make  them  new  ;  "  new  heaveiu 

898.  day  and  night.     "  While  and  a  new  earth,  wherein  dw«U- 
the  earth   remaioeth,   seed-time  eth  righteousness." 

EjQci  harvest,  and  cold  and  heat. 


BotMcXn.l  PARADISE  LOST,  363 


BOOK  xn. 

THE    ARGUMENT. 

Thb  angel  Michael  continues  from  the  flood  to  relate  what  shall 
succeed;  then,  in  the  mention  of  Abraham,  comes  by  degrees 
to  explain  who  that  seed  of  the  woman  shaU  be  which  was  prom- 
ised Adam  and  Eve  in  the  fall.  Uis  incarnation,  death,  resur- 
rection, and  ascension  ;  the  state  of  the  church  till  his  second 
coming.  Adam,  greatly  satisfied  and  recomforted  by  these  rela- 
tions and  promises,  ascends  the  hill  with  Michael ;  wakens  Eve, 
who  all  this  while  had  slept,  but  with  gentle  dreams  composed  to 
quietness  of  mind  and  submission.  Michael  in  either  hand  leads 
them  out  of  Paradise,  the  fiery  sword  waving  behind  them,  and 
the  Cherubim  taking  their  stations  to  guard  the  place. 

As  one  who  in  his  journey  baits  at  noon, 

Though  bent  on  speed,  so  here  the  Archangel  paused 

BetAvixt  the  world  destroyed  and  world  restored, 

If  Adam  aught  perhaps  might  interpose  ; 

Then  with  transition  SAveet  new  speech  resumes :        5 

"  Thus  thou  hast  seen  one  world  begin  and  end ; 
And  man  as  from  a  second  stock  proceed. 
Much  thou  hast  yet  to  see,  but  I  perceive 
Thy  mortal  sight  to  foil ;  objects  divine 
Must  Heeds  impair  and  weary  human  sense.  M 

Henceforth  what  is  to  come  I  will  relate  ; 
Thou  therefore  give  due  audience,  and  attend. 

"  This  second  source  of  men,  while  yet  but  few, 
And  while  the  dread  of  judgment  past  remains 
1.  haiiiy  rests  for  refreshment.         12.  audience,  hearing. 


364  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book Xtt 

Fresh  in  their  minds,  fearing  the  Deity,  15 

With  some  regard  to  what  is  just  and  right 

Shall  lead  their  lives,  and  multiply  apace, 

Laboring  the  soil  and  reaping  plenteous  crop, 

Corn,  wine,  and  oil ;  and  from  the  herd  or  flook 

Oft  sacrificing  bullock,  lamb,  or  kid,  20 

With  large  wine-offerings  poured  and  sacred  feast, 

Shall  spend  their  days  in  joy  unblamed,  and  dwell 

Long  time  in  peace,  by  fomilles  and  tribes, 

Under  paternal  rule :  till  one  shall  rise 

Of  proud  ambitious  heart,  who,  not  content  SB 

With  fair  equality,  fraternal  state, 

Will  arrogate  dominion  undeserved 

Over  his  brethren,  and  quite  dispossess 

Concord  and  law  of  nature  from  the  earth  ; 

Hunting  (and  men,  not  beasts,  shall  be  his  game)     80 

With  war  and  hostile  snare  such  as  refuse 

Subjection  to  his  empire  tyrannous. 

A  mighty  hunter  thence  he  shall  be  styled 

Before  the  Lord,  as  in  despite  of  Heaven, 

Or  from  Heaven  claiming  second  sovran ty ;  ffi 

And  from  rebellion  shall  derive  his  name. 

Though  of  rebellion  others  he  accuse. 

He,  with  a  crew  whom  like  ambition  joins 

With  him  or  under  him  to  tyrannize, 

Marching  from  Eden  towards  the  Avest,  shall  find       40 

The  plain,  wherein  a  black  bituminous  gurge 

Boils  out  from  under  ground,  the  mouth  of  Hell : 

IS.    Laboring^    tilling ;    culti-  36.  name,  Nimrod,  translated 

vating.  by  some,  rebel, 

24.  one,  Nimrod.  '*IIe  beg.an  41.  Tht  plain.  "And  the  be- 
to  be  a  mighty  one  in  the  earth."  ginning  of  liis  kingdom  was  Ba- 
Genesis  X.  S.  bel,  —  in   the   land  of   Shiuar.' 

27.  undeserved,  not  gained  by  "And  it  came   to   pass,  as   they 

right  or  merit.  journeyed   from    the    cast,    that 

30.      Hunting.      "  He    was    a  they  found  a  phiin  in  the  laud  of 

mighty  hunter  before  the  Lord."  Shiuar  ;  aud  they  dwelt  there.' 

Genesis  x.  9.  Genesis  x.  10  and  xi.  2.  —  h/ack 

3i.  a.s,  as  if.  bituminous  gurge.    In  the  Baby 


Book  XII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  365 

Of  brick  and  of  that  stuff  they  cast  to  build 

A  city  and  tower  whose  top  may  reach  to  Heaven, 

And  get  themselves  a  name,  lest  far  dispersed  46 

In  foreign  lands  their  memory  be  lost, 

Regardless  whether  good  or  evil  fame. 

But  God,  who  oft  descends  to  visit  men 

Unseen  and  through  their  habitations  walks 

To  mark  their  doings,  them  beholding  soon  50 

Comes  down  to  see  their  city,  ere  the  tower 

Obstruct  Heaven-towers,  and  in  derision  sets 

Upon  their  tongues  a  various  spirit,  to  rase 

Quite  out  their  native  language,  and  instead 

To  sow  a  jangling  noise  of  words  unknown.  66 

Forthwith  a  hideous  gabble  rises  loud 

Among  the  builders ;  each  to  other  calls 

Not  understood,  till  hoarse  and  all  in  rage 

As    mocked    they    storm :     great    laughter    was    in 

Heaven 
And  looking  down,  to  see  the  hubbub  strange  60 

And  hear  the  din  ;  thus  was  the  building  left 
Ridiculous,  and  the  work  Confusion  named." 

Whereto  thus  Adam  fatherly  displeased  • 
"  0  execrable  son,  so  to  aspire 


Ionian  plain,  "  plain  of  Shinar,"  52.  in  derision.     "  He  that  sil- 
are  still  found  wells  of  naphtha  teth  in  the  heavens  shall  laugh; 
or   bitumen.     In   the  neighbor-  the  Lord  shall  have  them  in  de- 
hood  of  Babylon  (Babel)  was  an  rision."    Psalm  ii.  4. 
Inexhaustible  supply  of  clay,  of  53.  rase,  blot.     See  II.  923. 
which    were    made    the    bricks,  59.  As  mocked  they  storm,  t\iey 
that,  together  with  the  bitumen,  are  fierce  %nth  passion,  thinking 
formed   the   walls    of    the    city,  themselves  mocked, 
whose  remains  may  still  be  seen  60.  looking  doicn,  great  look- 
on  the  banks  of  the  Euphrates  ing  down. 

—gurge  means  whirlpool ;  gulf  62.    Ridicidojis,  fit  for  langhtei 

43.   Of  brick.     See  Genesis  xi.  or  scorn   —  Confusion.  See  Gene- 

3,  4. — that  stuff,  slime  or  bitu-  sis  xi.  9. 

aien.    This  was  used  in  the  walls  63.  fatherhj,  as  the  father  of 

•>f  Babylon  as  mortar  or  cement,  the  race. 

cast,  plan ;  devise.  64     exeirable    son.      See  linei 

See  Genesis  xi.  5-9.  24r-37. 


566  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XJI 

Above  his  brethren,  to  himself  assuming  61 

Authority  usurped,  from  God  not  given : 

He  gave  us  only  over  beast,  fish,  fowl, 

Dominion  absolute  ;  that  right  we  hold 

By  his  donation ;  but  man  over  men 

He  made  not  lord  ;  such  title  to  himself  70 

Reserving,  human  left  from  human  free. 

But  this  usurper  his  encroachment  proud 

Stays  not  on  man ;  to  God  his  tower  Intends 

Siege  and  defiance.     Wretched  man  !  what  food 

Will  he  convey  up  thither  to  sustain  76 

Himself  and  his  rash  army,  where  thin  air 

Above  the  clouds  will  pine  his  entrails  gross, 

And  famish  him  of  breath,  If  not  of  bread  ?  " 

To  whom  thus  "Michael :  "  Justly  thou  abhorr'st 
Tliat  son,  who  on  the  quiet  state  of  men  .  80 

Such  trouble  brought,  affecting  to  subdue 
Rational  liberty  ;  yet  know  withal, 
Since  thy  original  lapse  true  liberty 
Is  lost,  which  always  with  right  reason  dwells 
Twinned,  and  from  her  hath  no  dividual  being.  86 

Reason  In  man  obscured  or  not  obeyed. 
Immediately  Inordinate  desires 
And  upstart  passions  catch  the  government 
From  reason,  and  to  servitude  reduce 
Man  till  then  free.     Therefore  since  he  permits        90 
Within  himself  unworthy  powers  to  reign 
Over  free  reason,  God  in  judgment  just 
Subjects  him  fi^om  Avithout  to  violent  lords. 
Who  oft  as  undeservedly  enthrall 


71.    human    left  from  human  85.     Twinned^   as    a    twin.  — 

free,  left  men  free  from  man's  rftr/V/KnZ,  separate.    See  VII.  382. 

tomiaion.  86.  obscured,  being  or  having 

77.  pme,  wear  out;  waste  away,  been  obscured. 

81.  affecting,  aiming.  88.  catch,  snatch  away. 

83.  lapse.,  fall.  94.  undeservedly.    See  line  27 


Book  XH.]  PARADISE  LUST.  867 

His  outward  freedom  :  tyranny  must  be,  Ofi 

Though  to  the  tyrant  thereby  no  excuse. 

Yet  sometimes  nations  will  decline  so  low 

From  virtue,  which  is  reason,  that  no  wrong, 

But  justice,  and  some  fatal  curse  annexed. 

Deprives  them  of  their  outward  liberty,  100 

Their  inAvard  lost :  witness  the  irreverent  son 

Of  him  Avho  built  the  ark,  who  for  the  shame 

Done  to  his  father  heard  his  heavy  curse, 

Servant  of  servants,  on  his  vicious  race. 

Thus  will  this  latter  as  the  former  world  106 

Still  tend  from  bad  to  worse,  till  God  at  last, 

Wearied  with  their  iniquities,  withdraw 

His  presence  from  among  them,  and  avert 

His  holy  eyes  ;  resolving  from  thenceforth 

To  leave  them  to  their  own  polluted  ways,  lio 

And  one  peculiar  nation  to  select 

From  all  the  rest  of  whom  to  be  invoked, 

A  nation  from  one  faithful  man  to  spring : 

Him  on  this  side  Euphrates  yet  residing. 

Bred  up  in  idol-worship,  —  O  that  men  115 

(Canst  thou  believe  ?)  should  be  so  stupid  grown. 

While  yet  the  patriarch  lived  who  scaped  the  flood, 

As  to  forsake  the  living  God,  and  fall 

To  worship  their  own  work  in  Avood  and  stone 

For  gods  !  —  yet  him  God  the  Most  High  vouchsafes 

To  call  by  vision  from  his  father's  house,  121 

His  kindred  and  false  gods,  into  a  land 

95.  must  he.  "Woe  unto  the  113.  one  faithful  ma;t,  Abram 
world  because  of  offences!  for  or  Abraham. 
It  must  needs  be  that  offences  114.  tliis  side  Euphrates^  th« 
come;  but  woe  to  that  man  by  eastern  side,  on  which  was  Eden, 
whom  the  offence  cometh " !  115.  '.iol-icorship.  Your  fa- 
Matthew  xviii.  7.  See  IV.  393,  thers  dwelt  on  the  other  side  of 
894.  the  flood  in  old  time,  even  Te- 

101.  inward  lost,  inward  lib-  rah,     tlie    father    of    Abraham 

rty  being  lost.     See   .lohn  viii.  and   the  father  of  Naclior ;  and 

51-^G.  —  the  irreverent  son.    See  they  served  other  gods."  Joshua 

♦Genesis  ix  20-27-  xxiv.  2. 

il2    q/,  by  121-127.    See  Genesis  xii.  1-^ 


368  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XU 

Which  he  will  show  him,  and  from  him  will  raise 

A  mighty  nation,  and  upon  him  shower 

His  benediction  so,  that  in  his  seed  125 

All  nations  shall  be  blest :  he  straight  obeysj 

Not  knowing  to  what  land,  yet  firm  believes. 

I  sec  him,  but  thou  canst  not,  with  what  faith 

He  leaves  his  goJs,  his  friends,  and  native  soil, 

Ur  of  Chaldasa,  passing  now  the  ford  13c 

To  Haran,  after  him  a  cumbrous  train 

Of  herds  and  flocks,  and  numerous  servitude ; 

Not  wandering  poor,  but  trusting  all  his  wealth 

With  God  who  called  him,  in  a  land  unknown. 

Canaan  he  now  attains  ;  I  see  his  tents  135 

Pitched  about  Sechcm,  and  the  neighboring  plain 

Of  Moreh  ;  there  by  promise  he  receives 

Gift  to  his  progeny  of  all  that  land, 

From  Hamath  northward  to  the  desert  south  139 

(Things  by  their  names  I  call,  though  yet  unnamed), 

From  Hermon  east  to  the  great  western  sea ; 

Mount  Hermon,  yonder  sea,  each  place  behold 

In  prospect,  as  I  point  them  ;  on  the  shore 

Mount  Carmel ;  here  the  double-founted  stream 


126.  straight.     See  I.  531.  136.   Sechem,  Sichem,  called  in 

127.  Not  knoioing.  •'  He  went  the  New  Testament  (John  iv.  5) 
out,    not    knowing  whither    he  Sychar. 

went."     Hebrews  xi.  8.  137.  Moreh.    See  Genesis  xii.  6. 

130.  Ur  of  CkaldfKa.  See  Gen-  This  plain  was  about  midway 
esis  xi.  31.  Ur  was  a  city  in  the  between  the  river  and  the  sea.  — 
north  of  Mesopotamia,  a  district  there  by  promise.  See  Genesis 
between  the  rivers  Euphrates  and  xii.  7. 

Tigris.  139.     Hamath    was    north   of 

131.  Haran.,  or  Charran,  was  Damascus. — northward.,  on  the 
also  ia  Mesopotamia.  north 

132.  servitude..,  body  of  ser-  141.  i7erw?on  was  on  the  north- 
vants  or  slaves.  east  of  Canaan,  near  the  source 

135.     Canaan.      "  They    went  of  the  Jordan, 

forth    to    go    into    the    land   of  143.  07i  the  .<<hore  of  yonder  sea 

Canaan,   and   into   the    land    of  the  Mediterranean. 

Canaan  they  came."    Genesis  xii.  144.    double  -  founted,     havioi 

5.    This  land  lay  between  the  river  two  sources  or  fountains. 
Jordan  on  the  east  and  the  great 
we.Uern  (Mediterranean)  sea  on 
the  west. 


Book  XII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  369 

Jordan,  true  limit  eastward  ;  but  his  sons  14B 

Shall  dwell  to  Senir,  that  long  ridge  of  hills. 

This  ponder,  that  all  nations  of  the  earth 

Shall  in  his  seed  be  blessed  ;  by  that  seed 

Is  meant  thy  great  Deliverer,  who  shall  bruise 

The  serpent's  head  ;  Avhereof  to  thee  anon  150 

Plainlier  shall  be  revealed.      This  patriarch  blest, 

Whom  faithful  Abraham  due  time  shall  call, 

A  son,  and  of  his  son  a  grandchild,  leaves, 

Like  him  in  faith,  in  wisdom,  and  renown. 

The  grandchild  with  twelve  sons  increased  departs 

From  Canaan  to  a  land  hereafter  called  156 

Egypt,  divided  by  the  river  Nile ; 

See  where  it  flows,  disgorging  at  seven  mouths 

Into  the  sea.      To  sojourn  in  that  land 

He  comes,  invited  by  a  younger  son  160 

In  time  of  dearth  ;  a  son  whose  worthy  deeds 

Raise  him  to  be  the  second  in  that  realm 

Of  Pharaoh :  there  he  dies,  and  leaves  his  race 

Growing  into  a  nation,  and  now  grown 

Suspected  to  a  sequent  king,  who  seeks  165 

To  stop  their  overgrowth  as  inmate  guests 

Too  numerous ;    whence  of  guests  he    makes    them 

slaves 
Inhospitably,  and  kills  their  infant  males  : 

145.  true  limit  eastward,   the  15.3.  A  sort,  Isaac  — a  grand- 
real  boundary  on  the  east.  child,  .Jacob. 

146.  Senir  is  properly  Mount  153-163.     See  Genesis  xxxvii.  | 
Elermon  (see  Deuteronomy  iii.  9),  and  xxxix.-l. 

though  Milton  seems  here  to  use  158.   seven  months.    The  Nile 

It  as   the    name    of  a    different  formerly  entered  the  sea  by  seyen 

range.  mouths  ;  the  number  is  now  re- 

147.  r/ii5;7onc/er,  consider  this,  duced  to  tvo. 

149    tvko  shall  bruise.   See  Gen-  162.  the  second.     See  Genesis 

esis  iii.  15.  xli.  38-43. 

152.  Ahranam.    "  Neither  shall  165.  sequent,   succeeding;    fol- 

thy    name  any   more    be    called  lowing.     "Now   there    aro.se  up 

Abram ;  but  thy  name  shall  be  a  new  king    over  Egypt,  which 

Abraham  ;  for  »  father  of  many  knew  not  Joseph."     Exodus  i.  8 

oatious  have  I  made  thee."  Gen-  166.  as,  as  being, 
esis  xvii.  5. 

24 


370  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  Xlt 

Till  by  two  brethren  (those  tAvo  brethren  call 

Moses  and  Aaron)  sent  from  God  to  claim  170 

His  people  from  enthralment,  tliey  return 

With  glory  and  spoil  back  to  their  promised  laud. 

But  first  the  lawless  tyrant,  who  denies 

To  know  their  God  or  message  to  regard, 

Must  be  compelled  by  signs  and  judgments  dire  ;     175 

To  blood  unshed  the  rivers  must  be  turned  ; 

Frogs,  lice,  and  flies,  must  all  his  palace  fill 

With  loathed  intrusion,  and  fill  all  the  land  ; 

His  cattle  must  of  rot  and  murrain  die  ; 

Blotches  and  blains  must  all  his  flesh  emboss,  180 

And  all  his  people ;  thunder  mixed  with  hail, 

Hail  mixed  with  fire,  must  rend  the  Egyptian  sky, 

And  wheel  on  the  earth,  devouring  where  it  rolls  ; 

What  it  devours  not,  herb,  or  fruit,  or  grain, 

A  darksome  cloud  of  locusts  swarming  down  185 

Must  eat,  and  on  the  ground  leave  notliing  green ; 

Darkness  must  overshadow  all  his  bounds, 

Palpable  darkness,  and  blot  out  three  days  ; 

Last  with  one  midnight  stroke  all  the  first  born 

Of  Egypt  must  lie  dead.      Thus  with  ten  wounds 

The  river-dragon  tamed  at  length  submits  191 

To  let  his  sojourners  depart,  and  oft 

Humbles  his  stubborn  heart,  but  still  as  ice 

More  hardened  after  thaw,  till  in  his  rage 

Pursuing  whom  he  late  dismissed,  the  sea  195 

169.  hy  tioo  brethren.    See  Ei-  188.  Palpable^  "  which  may  be 

odus  iii.-vi.  felt  "     Exodus  x.  21. 

173-190.  See  Exodus  vii.-xii.  190.      ten    woum's,    the    ten 

173.    denies,    refuses.      "  And  plagues. 

Pharaoh  said.  Who  is  the  Lord,  190-214.  See  Exodus  xiii.-xv. 

that  I  should  obey  his  voice  to  191.    The  river-dragon.    "Pha- 

let  Israel  go-     I   know  not  tbe  raoh   king  of   Egypt,   the  great 

Lord,   neither  will   I    let    Israel  dragon  that  licth  in  the  midst  of 

go."     Exodus  V.  2.  his  rivers."     Ezekiel  xxix.  3. 

180.  emboss,  cover  with  swell-  195.  i"/io??i,  those  whom.  —  the 

ings.  sea,  thr  Red  Sea,  which  lies  be- 

\^.  wheel  rn  the  earth.    "And  tween    Egypt  and    the    Arabiaa 

the    fire    ran    along    upon  the  Desert, 
ground."    Exodus  ix.  23. 


flooKXII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  S71 

Swallows  liim  with  his  host,  but  them  lets  pass 

As  on  dry  land  between  two  crystal  walls. 

Awed  by  the  rod  of  INIoses  so  to  stand 

Divided  till  his  rescued  gain  their  shore  : 

Such  wondrous  power  God  to  his  saint  will  lend,    200 

Though  present  in  his  angel,  who  shall  go 

Before  them  in  a  cloud  and  pillar  of  fire, 

By  day  a  cloud,  by  night  a  pillar  of  fire. 

To  guide  them  in  their  journey,  and  remove 

Behind  them,  Avhile  the  obdurate  king  pursues.        205 

All  night  he  will  pursue,  but  his  approach 

Darkness  defends  between  till  morning  watch ; 

Then  through  the  fiery  pillar  and  the  cloud 

God  looking  forth  will  trouble  all  his  host, 

And  craze  their  chariot-wheels  :  when  by  command 

Moses  once  more  his  potent  rod  extends  211 

Over  the  sea ;  the  sea  his  rod  obeys ; 

On  their  embattled  ranks  the  waves  return, 

And  overAvhelm  their  war.     The  race  elect 

Safe  towards  Canaan  from  the  shore  advance  215 

Through  the  wild  desert,  not  the  readiest  way, 

Lest  entering  on  the  Canaanite  alarmed 

War  terrify  them  inexpert,  and  fear 

Return  them  back  to  Egypt,  choosing  rather 

Inglorious  life  with  servitude  ;  for  life  22C 

To  noble  and  ignoble  is  more  sweet 

Untrained  in  arms,  where  rashness  leads  not  on. 

19C.    them,  the  Israelites,  his  214.  trar,  forces;    warlike  ar- 

tojoxciners,  those  who  had  lately  ray. 

dwelt  with  him.  216.  not  the  readiest  icay.    The 

199.  /ii5  rescwerf  people  or  coun-  nearest   way    to    Canaan    would 

fciypien.  have    been    in    a   north-easterly 

201.    his  angel.      See    Exodus  direction,    but      the      Israelites 

xiv.  19,  20.  turned   to   the   south. 

207.  defends,  forbids.    See  XI.  217.  alarmed,  roused  ;  put  on 

B6.  —  6c«u;een,  the  darkness  being  his  guard, 

petween.  218.    inexpert,    inexperienced ; 

210.     craze,    break,    from   the  unpractised. 

French  "  ecraser."  222.    Untrained,  if  they  are  not 
trained. 


572  PARADISE  LOST.  fBooR  XIL 

This  also  shall  they  gain  by  their  delay 

In  the  wide  wilderness,  there  they  shall  found 

Their  government,  and  their  great  senate  choose    225 

Through  the  twelve  tribes,  to  rule  by  laws  ordained. 

God  from  the  mount  of  Sinai,  whose  gray  top 

Shall  tremble,  he  descending,  will  himself 

In  thunder,  lightning,  and  loud  trumpet's  sound, 

Ordain  them  laws  ;  part,  such  as  appertain  230 

To  civil  justice  ;  part,  religious  rites 

Of  sacrifice,  informing  them  by  types 

And  shadows  of  that  destined  Seed  to  bruise 

The  serpent,  by  Avhat  means  he  shall  achieve 

Mankind's  deliverance.      But  the  voice  of  God        235 

To  mortal  ear  is  dreadfid  :  they  beseech 

That  Moses  might  report  to  them  his  will, 

And  terror  cease ;  he  grants  what  they  besought, 

Instructed  that  to  God  is  no  access 

Without  mediator,  whose  high  office  now  240 

Moses  in  figure  bears,  to  introduce 

One  greater,  of  whose  day  he  shall  foretell, 

And  all  the  prophets  in  their  age  the  times 

Of  great  Messiah  shall  sing.     Thus  laws  and  rites 

Established,  such  delight  hath  God  in  men  246 

Obedient  to  his  will,  that  he  vouchsafes 

Among  them  to  set  up  his  tabernacle, 

The  Holy  One  with  mortal  men  to  dwell. 


225.  their  great  senate.     "  And  230.   laios.     These  laws,  com- 

Moses  chose  able  men  out  of  all  monly  called  The  Law,  or  the  Mo. 

Israel,    and    made    them    heads  sale  Law,  are  found  in  the  books 

over  the  people,  rulers  of  thou-  of  Exodus,  Leviticus,  Numbers, 

Bands,  rulers  of  hundreds,  rulers  and  Deuteronomy. 

of  fifties,    and  rulers    of    tens.  233.  that  destined   Seed.     See 

And  they  judged  the  people  at  all  Genesis  iii.  15. 

seasons ;    the  hard  causes    they  236.  they  beseech.    See  Exodua 

brought  unto  Moses,  but  every  xx.  18-21. 

email  matter  they  judged  them-  242.  of  whose  day  he  shall  fore' 

lelves."    See  Exodus  xviii.  tell.    See  Deuteronomy  xviii.  !&• 

227.  Sinai.     See  I.  7.  19. 

228.  he  descending.     See  Exo-  245-256.      See    Exodus    xxf. 
loB  xix.  xxvii. 


Book  XII.]  i^ARADISE  LOST.  378 

By  his  prescript  a  sanctuary  is  framed 

Of  cedar,  overlaid  with  gold;  therein  2BI 

An  ark,  and  in  the  ark  his  testimony, 

The  records  of  his  covenant ;  over  these 

A  mercy-seat  of  gold  between  the  wings 

Of  two  bright  cherubim ;  before  him  burn 

Seven  lamps,  as  in  a  zodiac  representing  26S 

The  heavenly  fires ;  over  the  tent  a  cloud 

Shall  rest  by  day,  a  fiery  gleam  by  night, 

Save  when  they  journey,  and  at  length  they  come, 

Conducted  by  his  angel,  to  the  land 

Promised  to  Abraham  and  his  seed.      The  rest        260 

Were  long  to  tell,  how  many  battles  fought, 

How  many  kings  destroyed  and  kingdoms  won, 

Or  how  the  sun  shall  in  mid-heaven  stand  still 

A  day  entire,  and  night's  due  course  adjourn, 

Man's  voice  commanding,  '  Sun  in  Gibeon  stand,    265 

And  thou,  moon,  in  the  vale  of  Aialon, 

Till  Israel  overcome  ; '  so  call  the  third 

From  Abraham,  son  of  Isaac,  and  from  him 

His  whole  descent,  who  thus  shall  Canaan  win." 

Here  Adam  interposed  :  "  O  sent  from  Heaven,  273 
Enlightener  of  my  darkness  !  gracious  things 
Thou  hast  revealed,  those  chiefiy  which  concern 
Just  Abraham  and  his  seed  :  now  fii-st  I  find 
Mine  eyes  true  opening,  and  my  heart  much  eased, 
Erewhile    perplexed  with    thoughts  what  would  be- 
come 

249.  prescript,  direction.  261.   Were^  would  be. 

256.     The    heavenly  _/i.res,  the  2*33    stand  still.    See  Joshua  x. 

sun,  moon,  and  five  planets. —  12,13. 

over   the   tent.      See   Exodus   xl.  267.  so  call  the  third.  The  name 

34-38.  Israel   was  given   to  Jacob,   the 

259.  /i»sa«o-W.  "  Behold,  I. send  grandson  ot  Abraham.     See  Gen - 

an  angel  before  thee."     See  Kxo-  esis  xxxii.  24-28. 

dua  xxiii.  20-23.  275.  ivhat,  as  to  or  concerning 

2r>i)-2'j9.      See    the    Book    of  what. 
JOBhua. 


574  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XII. 

Of  me  and  all  mankind  ;  but  now  I  see  876 

His  da  J,  in  whom  all  nations  shall  be  blessed, 

Favor  unmerited  by  me,  who  sought 

Forbidden  knowledge  by  forbidden  means. 

Yet  this  I  apprehend  not,  why  to  those  380 

Among  whom  God  will  deimi  to  dwell  on  earth 

So  many  and  so  various  laws  are  given  ; 

So  many  laws  argue  so  many  sins 

Among  them  ;  how  can  God  with  such  reside  ?  "    284 

To  whom  thus  Michael :   "  Doubt  not  but  that  sin 
Will  reign  among  them,  as  of  thee  begot  ; 
And  therefore  was  law  given  them,  to  evince 
Their  natural  pravity,  by  stirring  up 
Sin  against  law  to  fight ;  that  when  they  see 
Law  can  discover  sin  but  not  remove,  290 

Save  by  those  shadowy  expiation^  weak, 
The  blood  of  bulls  and  goats,  they  may  conclude 
Some  blood  more  precious  must  be  paid  for  man, 
Just  for  unjust,  that  in  such  righteousness, 
To  them  by  faith  imputed,  they  may  find  295 

Justification  towards  God,  and  peace 
Of  conscience,  which  the  law  by  ceremonies 
Cannot  appease,  nor  man  the  moral  part 
Perform,  and  not  performing  cannot  live. 
So  law  appears  imperfect,  and  but  given  300 

With  purpose  to  resign  them  in  full  time 

277.    His  day.     "Your  father  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he 

Abraham  rejoiced  to  see  my  day  ;  might  bring  us  to  God."    1  Peter 

»nd  he  saw  it,  and  was  glad."  iii.  18. 

John  viii.  56.  295.  imputed.     See  Romans  iv. 

288.  pravity,  depravity.  22-25. 

290.  See  Romans  vii.  5-24.  293.    peace.      "  Therefore,    be* 

A%\.  shadowy  expiations.  "The  ing  justified   by   faith,   we   hare 

law  having    a    shadow  of   good  peace   with    God,    through    our 

things  to  lome."     Hebrews  x.  1.  Lord    Jesus    Christ."      Romana 

292.     The   blood   of   bulls  and  y.  1. 

joats.     See  Hebrews  ix.  11-14.  300.    imperfect.      See  Romaas 

294.  Just  f 01  unjust.    "Christ  viii.  3,  4. 
»lfiO  hath  oncc  sulfered  for  sins, 


Book  XII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  375 

Up  to  a  better  covenant,  disciplineJ 

From  shadowy  types  to  truth,  from  flesh  to  spirit, 

From  imposition  of  strict  laws  to  free 

Acceptance  of  hirge  grace,  from  servile  fear  306 

To  filial,  works  of  law  to  works  of  faith. 

And  therefore  shall  not  Moses,  though  of  God 

Highly  beloved,  being  but  the  minister 

Of  law,  his  people  into  Canaan  lead  ; 

But  Joshua,  whom  the  Gentiles  Jesus  call,  310 

Ilis  name  and  office  bearing  who  shall  quell 

The  adversary  serpent,  and  bring  back 

Through  the  worll's  wilderness  long  wandered  man 

Safe  to  eternal  Paradise  of  rest. 

Meanwhile  they,  in  their  earthly  Canaan  placed,    315 

Long  time  shall  dwell  and  prosper,  but  when  sins 

National  interrup*  their  public  peace, 

Provoking  God  to  raise  them  enemies  ; 

From  whom  as  oft  he  saves  thdm  penitent, 

By  judges  first,  then  under  kings  ;  of  whom  320 

The  second,  both  for  piety  renowned 

And  puissant  deeds,  a  promise  shall  receive 

Irrevocable,  that  his  regal  throne 

For  ever  shall  endure  ;  the  like  shall  sing 

All  prophecy,  that  of  the  royal  stock  325 

Of  David  (so  I  name  this  king)  shall  rise 

A  son,  the  woman's  seed  to  thee  foretold, 

Foretold  to  Abraham,  as  in  whom  shall  trust 

All  nations,  and  to  kings  foretold,  of  kings 

302.     a   better  covenant.     See  315-320.    See    the    Boo^    oj 

^eb^ew8  viii  4-13.  —  disciplined.  Jud^jes. 

•^  Wherefore    tUe    law    wt^s    our  316.  but.  except, 

.choiaster   to   bring   us    unto  SiO-Si-i    See    the    Books    of 

Ckrist7that  we  might  be  justj.  Samuel,  of  Kings,  and  of  Lhrou- 

fled  by  faith."   Galatiansiii.2-1-  i^l^^-                           „      o  3o„,»ni 

310.  Joshua  is   iu   Hebrew  the  .322.  a  promise.     See  2  Samue\ 

game   as   Jesus   iu  Greek.     Both  vii-  Iti-                           x     •  v     ■    i 

S)rds  mean  be  tbat  shall  save,  m.  the  hke.     See  Isaiah  xi.  1. 


gaviour. 


311.  Bearing  the  name  and  of-    li'i«  ■^•l'^- 
Uk  ot  biw  wlio  sliall  'lueU.  328.  as,  as 


Jeremiah  xxiii.  5.  —  sing,     t^oe 


376  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XII. 

The  last,  for  of  his  reign  shall  be  no  end.  830 

But  first  a  long  succession  must  ensue, 

And  his  next  son,  for  wealth  and  wisdom  famed, 

The  clouded  ark  of  God,  till  then  in  tents 

Wandering,  shall  in  a  glorious  temple  enshrine. 

Such  follow  him  as  shall  be  registered  836 

Part  good,  part  bad  ;  of  bad  the  longer  scroll, 

Whose  foul  idolatries  and  other  faults, 

Heaped  to  the  popular  sum,  will  so  incense 

God,  as  to  leaA'e  them,  and  expose  their  land, 

Their  city,  his  temple,  and  his  holy  ark,  34k) 

W^ith  all  his  sacred  things,  a  scorn  and  prey 

To  that  proud  city,  whose  high  walls  thou  saw'st 

Left  in  confusion.  Babylon  thence  called. 

There  in  captivity  he  lets  them  dwell 

The  space  of  seventy  years,  then  brings  them  back, 

Remembering  mercy  and  his  covenant  sworn  3i6 

To  David,  stablished  as  the  days  of  Heaven. 

Returned  from  Babylon,  by  leave  of  kings 

Their  lords,  whom  God  disposed,  the  house  of  God 

They  first  re-edify,  and  for  a  while  350 

In  mean  estate  live  moderate,  till,  grown 

In  wealth  and  multitude,  factious  they  grow. 

But  first  among  the  priests  dissension  springs, 

330.  shall  be  no  end     "  His  do-  337  -  343.     See    2    Chrouiclea 

minion  is  an  everlasting  domin-  xxxvi.  14-21. 

ion,  whicli  sliall  not  pass  away,  338.     Heaped    to    the    popvlar 

and    his    kingdom     that    whifh  sum,  increased  so  as   to   involve 

shall   not  be  destroyed. "    Daniel  the  whole  people  or  nation  in  the 

vii.  14.  guilt  and  its  punishment. 

332.  his  next  son,  the  son  who  ,      337  -  343.     See     2    Chroniclea 
succeeded  him  as  king ;  Solomon,  xxxvi.  14-21. 

who  reigned  next.  342.    thou    saivest.      See    linea 

333.  in  tents.     The  Ark  of  the    38-62. 

Covenant  had  been  i-emoved,  with  345.   seventy  years.     See  Jer©- 

or  without  the  Tabernacle,  from  miali  xxr.  11. 

place  to  place,  until  it  was  car-  345-350.     See  the  Book  of  Ezra 

tied   with    gj-eat   solemnity   into  and  the  Book  of  Nehemiah. 

the  Temple  which  Solomon  had  349.  7chom   God  disposed.    Se« 

built  for  its  abode.  Ezra  i.  1,  and  Nehemiah  ii.  1-8. 

335.  registered   in    the   Second  350.  rf-fc///"//,  build  again. 

Book   of   the  Chronicles  of  the  353-356.    The  history   of  thi» 

kings  of  Judah.  dissension  is  found  in  the  .^poo 


Book  Xri-l  PARADISE   LOST.  377 

Men  who  attend  the  altar  and  should  most 
Endeavor  peace  :  their  strife  pollution  brings  868 

Upon  the  temple  itself;  at  last  they  seize 
The  sceptre,  and  regard  not  David's  sons, 
Then  lose  it  to  a  stranger,  that  the  true 
Anointed  king  Messiah  might  be  born 
Barred  of  his  right ;  yet  at  his  birth  a  star,  86(5 

Unseen  before  in  heaven,  proclaims  him  come, 
And  guides  the  eastern  sages,  who  inquire 
His  place,  to  offer  incense,  myrrh,  and  gold. 
His  place  of  birth  a  solemn  angel  tells 
To  simple  shepherds  keeping  watch  by  night ;  366 

They  gladly  thither  haste,  and  by"  a  quire 
Of  squadroned  angels  hear  his  carol  sung : 
A  Virgin  is  his  mother,  but  his  sire 
The  power  of  the  Most  High  ;  he  shall  ascend 
The  throne  hereditary,  and  bound  his  reign  37U 

With    earth's     wide    bounds,    his    glory    with    the 
heavens." 

He  ceEised,  discerning  Adam  with  such  joy 
Surcharged  as  had,  like  grief,  been  dewed  in  tears, 
Without  the  vent  of  words,  which  these  he  breathed  ; 

"  O  prophet  of  glad  tidings,  finisher  876 

Of  utmost  hope  !  now  clear  I  understand. 
What    oft    my  steadiest  thoughts    have  searched  in 
vain, 


rypha,  in  the  Second  Book  of  the        358.  a  stranger,  Herod  the  Idu- 

Maccabees.      The    strife    which  roaaan,    known    as    llerod     the 

brought  pollution  u/ion  the  tern-  Great. 

pie  itself,  is  described  in  chaptei'S        3J0.  Barrei  of,  excluded  from 

iii.-v.  — a  star.     Sf'c  Matthew  ii. 

854,  355.  "  For  the  priest's  lips        335.    shepherds.     See   Luke  ii 

should  keep  knowledge?,  and  they  8-14. 

shouldseek  the  lawat  hisuiouth  ;        3i7.    cnro.,     Christmas    song 

for  he  is   the  messenger  of  the  sons  of  joy. 
Lord  of  hosts."    Malachi  ii.  7. —        373.  duced,  dropped  as  dew 
endeavor^  strive  to  bring  about.  374.   Wiihoia,  but  for. 


378  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XII, 

Why  our  great  expectation  should  be  called 
The  seed  of  woman.      Virgin  Mother,  hail  ! 
High  in  the  love  of  Heaven,  yet  from  my  loins        880 
Thou  shalt  proceed,  and  from  thy  womb  the  Son 
Of  God  Most  High  ;  so  God  with  man  unites. 
Needs  must  the  serpent  now  his  capital  bruise 
Expect  with  mortal  jDain :  say  where  and  when       384 
Their    fight,   what    stroke    shall    bruise    the    victor's 
heel  ?  " 

To  whom  thus  Michael :  "  Dream  not  of  their  fight 
As  of  a  duel,  or  the  local  wounds 
Of  head  or  heel :  not  therefore  joins  the  Son 
Manhood  to  Godhead,  with  more  strength  to  foil 
Thy  enemy  ;  nor  so  is  overcome  390 

Satan,  whose  fall  from  Heaven,  a  deadlier  bruise, 
Disabled  not  to  give  thee  thy  death's  wound ; 
Which  he,  who  comes  thy  Saviour,  shall  recure, 
Not  by  destroying  Satan,  but  his  works 
In  thee  and  in  thy  seed  ;  nor  can  this  be,  396 

But  by  fulfilling  that  which  thou  didst  want, 
Obedience  to  the  law  of  God,  imposed 
On  penalty  of  death,  and  suffering  death, 
The  penalty  to  thy  transgression  due, 
And  due  to  theirs  which  out  of  thine  will  grow  ;      400 
So  only  can  high  justice  rest  appaid. 
The  law  of  God  exact  he  shall  fulfil 
Both  by  obedience  and  by  love,  though  love 
Alone  fulfil  the  law  ;  thy  punishment 

379--  liall.    See  the  salutatioo  of  purpose  the  Son  of  God  was  man 

the  angel,  Luke  i.  28.  IfesteU,  that  he  might  destroy  th« 

383.  capital,   upon    the    head,  works    of   the  devil."      \  Johi) 

'♦  It    shall    bruise    thy  htad."  iii.  8. 
flenesis  iii.  15.  398.  want^  fail  in. 

387.  locAil,  having  a  place.  400.    theirs,   the   transgressioo 

392.  Disabled  not,  disabled  him  of  thy  seed. 

not;     took    not    from    him  the        401.  o/;//rt(V/,  satisfied. 

power.  404.    fulfil  the  law.     "  Love  il 

393.  recure,  he;il  the  fulfilling  of  the  law."     Bo 
891.    his  works.      "  For  this    wans  xiij.  10. 


BookXIL]  paradise  lost.  379 

He  shall  endure  by  coining  in  the  flesh  401 

To  a  reproachful  life  and  cui-sed  death, 

Proclaiming  life  to  all  who  shall  believe 

In  his  redemption,  and  that  his  obedience 

Imputed  becomes  theirs  by  faith,  his  merits 

To  save  them,  not  their  own,  though  legal,  works. 

For  this  he  shall  live  hated,  be  blasphemed,  411 

Seized  on  by  force,  judged,  and  to  death  condemned 

A  shameful  and  accursed,  nailed  to  the  cross 

By  his  own  nation,  slain  for  bringing  hfe  ; 

But  to  the  cross  he  nails  thy  enemies,  416 

The  law  that  is  against  thee,  and  the  sins 

Of  all  mankind,  with  him  there  crucified. 

Never  to  hurt  them  more  who  rightly  trust 

In  this  his  satisfaction  :  so  he  dies. 

But  soon  revives  ;  death  over  him  no  power  420 

Shall  long  usurp  ;  ere  the  third  dawning  light 

Return,  the  stars  of  morn  shall  see  him  rise 

Out  of  his  grave,  fresh  as  the  dawning  light. 

Thy  ransom  paid,  which  man  from  death  redeems ; 

His  death  for  man,  as  many  as  offered  life  426 

Neglect  not,  and  the  benefit  embrace 

By  foith  not  void  of  works.      This  godlike  act 

Annuls  thy  doom,  the  death  thou  shouldst  have  died, 

In  sin  for  ever  lost  from  life  ;  this  act  42& 

Shall  bruise  the  head  of  Satan,  crush  his  strength, 

408.  that,  believe  that.  Hi-  287-297,  and  Kornans  v.  ^ 

409.  his  merits,  etc.  Perhaps  a    19. 

Latinism ;   that  hLs  merits   save  420.  no  power.        Death  hath 

\,]xQm..  °o   "I'^r**  aomiuiou  over  huii.  ' 

41o!  not  their  own,  ihonsh  U-  Romuus  vl.  9. 

enl.  works,  not  their  own  works,  421.     ere   the     third    ctawmns 

Ihough    according    to    the    law.  light.     See  Matthew  x.%\v\ 

"  Knowing  that  a  man  is  not  jus-  424-  ransom.  "  V,  ho  jt^vo  tim. 

(ifiedb\  the  works  of  the  law,  but  self  a  lansom  for  all."    1  limothy 

bv   the'  faith   of   Jesus   Christ."  ii.  6. 

Galntians  ii.  16.  425.  ns  nmny,  as  many  men.  — 

415.  he   nails.     "Nailing  it  to  05    of^reJ   life    neglect    not,    au 

iis  cross."    Colos.Mans  ii.  14.  neglect  not  the  iife  whu-h  is  of. 

4X9.  his  satisfaction.  hS:'  dy\ns  fered 

for  the    sins    of  mankind.    Frc  427.   not   void  of  works.    8e« 
James  ii.  14-26 


380  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XII 

Defeating  Sin  an  1  '>  ':Ub,  his  two  main  arms, 

And  fix  far  deejic.     .  iiis  head  their  stings 

Than  temporal  deiitL  shall  bruise  the  victor's  heel, 

Or  theirs  whom  he  redeems,  a  death-like  sleep, 

A  gentle  wafting  to  immortal  life.  43S 

Nor  after  resurrection  shall  he  stay 

Longer  on  earth  than  certain  times  to  appear 

To  his  disciples,  men  who  in  his  life 

Still  followed  him ;  to  them  shall  leave  in  charge 

To  teach  all  nations  what  of  him  they  learned         44C 

And  his  salvation,  them  who  shall  believe 

Baptizing  in  the  profluent  stream,  the  sign 

Of  washing  them  from  guilt  of  sin  to  life, 

Pure,  and  in  mind  prepared,  if  so  befall, 

For  death,  like  that  which  the  Redeemer  died.        448 

All  nations  they  shall  teach ;  for  from  that  day 

Not  only  to  the  sons  of  Abraham's  loins 

Salvation  shall  be  preached,  but  to  the  sons 

Of  Abraham's  faith  wherever  through  the  world  ; 

So  in  his  seed  all  nations  shall  be  blessed.  450 

Then  to  the  heaven  of  heavens  he  shall  ascend 

With  victory,  triumphing  through  the  air 

Over  his  foes  and  thine  ;  there  shall  surprise 

The  serpent,  prince  of  air,  and  drag  in  chains 

Through  all  his  realm,  and  there  confounded  leave ; 

Then  enter  into  glory,  and  resume  456 

His  seat  at  God's  right  hand,  exalted  high 

Above  all  names  in  Heaven  ;  and  thence  shall  come, 

When  this  world's  dissolution  shall  be  ripe, 

434.   Or  theirs,  or  the  heel  of  A.bo.  and  there,  confounrled  leave, 

those.  ami  there  leave  him  coufounded. 

439.  leave  in  charge.     See  Mat-  457.    exalted  hi^k.      "  WTiere- 

fcheif  xxTiii.  18-20.  fore   God   also    hath   highly   ex- 

442.  projliient,  flowing.  alted  him,  and  given  him  a  name 

449.  of  Abraham's  faith.     See  which    is    above    every   name.' 

Romans    iv.    \Q-li.  —  whertvtr,  Pliilippians  ii.  9. 

wherever  found.  45U.  \Vhen  this  world  shall  bt 

454.  in  c/uiins.    See  Revelation  ripe  for  dissolution, 
fcx.  1.  2. 


Book  XTI.]  PARADISE  LOST.  381 

With    glory    and  power  to  judge    both    quick    and 
dead ;  498 

To  judge  the  unfaithful  dead,  but  to  reward 
His  faithful,  and  receive  them  Into  bliss, 
Whether  in  Heaven  or  Earth,  for  then  the  earth 
Shall  all  be  Paradise,  fir  happier  place 
Than  this  of  Eden,  and  far  happier  days."  46c 

So  spake  the  Archangel  Michael,  then  paused, 
As  at  the  world's  great  period ;  and  our  sire, 
Replete  with  joy  and  wonder,  thus  replied : 

"  O  goodness  infinite,  goodness  immense  ! 
That  all  this  good  of  evil  shall  produce,  470 

And  evil  turn  to  good  ;  more  wonderful 
Than  that  which  by  creation  first  brought  forth 
Light  out  of  darkness  !     Full  of  doubt  I  stand, 
Whether  I  should  repent  me  now  of  sin 
By  me  done  and  occasioned,  or  rejoice  475 

Much  more,  that  much  more  good  thereof  shall  spring, 
To  God  more  glory,  more  good-will  to  men 
From  God,  and  over  wrath  grace  shall  abound. 
But  say,  if  our  Deliverer  up  to  Heaven 
Must  reascend,  what  will  betide  the  few  480 

His  faithful,  left  among  the  unfaithful  herd, 
The  enemies  of  truth  ?  who  then  shall  guide 
His  people,  who  defend  ?  will  they  not  deal 
Worse    Avith    his    followers    than     with     him     they 
dealt  ?  " 

"Be  sure  they  will,"  said  the  angel;  "but  from 
Heaven  486 

460    "And  then  shall  they  see        467.  poriod,  end. 
She   Son    of    man    coming  in  a        470.    r/m«,  which.— o/,  from, 
eloud,    with    power    and    great        478.  grace  shall  abound.     See 
glory."     Lukexxi.27.     See  also    Romans  v.  20,  21. 
Matthew  xxv.  31-46.  —  both  quale 
and  dead.     See   Acts    x.   42    - 
quick,  living. 


382  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XII 

He  to  Ills  own  a  Comforter  will  send, 

The  promise  of  the  Fatlier,  who  shall  dwell 

His  Spirit  within  them,  and  the  law  of  faith 

Workinf^  through  love  upon  their  hearts  shall  write, 

To  guide  them  in  all  truth,  and  also  arm  48Q 

With  spiritual  armor,  able  to  resist 

Satan's  assaults  and  quench  his  fiery  darts ; 

What  man  can  do  against  them  not  afraid, 

Though  to  the  death ;  against  such  cruelties 

With  inward  consolations  recompensed,  496 

And  oft  supported  so  as  shall  amaze 

Their  proudest  persecutors :  for  the  Spirit, 

Poured  first  on  his  Apostles  whom  he  sends 

To  evangelize  the  nations,  then  on  all 

Baptized,  shall  them  with  wondrous  gifts  endue       500 

To  speak  all  tongues,  and  do  all  miracles 

As  did  their  Lord  before  them.      Thus  they  win 

Great  numbers  of  each  nation  to  receive 

With  joy  the  tidings  brought  from  Heaven  :  at  length, 

Their  ministry  performed  and  race  well  run,  505 

Their  doctrine  and  their  story  written  left, 

They  die  ;  but  In  their  room,  as  they  forewarn, 

Wolves  shall  succeed  for  teachers,  grievous  wolves. 

Who  all  the  sacred  m3'steries  of  Heaven 

To  their  own  vile  advantages  shall  turn  610 

Of  lucre  and  ambition,  and  the  truth 

With  superstitions  and  traditions  taint, 

4S7.   TJie  promise  of  the  Father,  and  after  that  hare  no  mere  that 

Bee  Luke  xxiv.  49.  they  can  do."     Luke  xii.  4. 

489.  through  love.  "  Faith  498.  Poured  first.  See  Acts  Ji 
which  worketh  by  love."  Qala-  506.  Their  doctrine  and  their 
tians  V.  6.  stori/  loritten  in  the  Epistles  and 

490.  "  Ilowbeit  when  he,   the    the  Book  of  Acts. 

Spirit  of  truth,  is  come,  he  will  508.     Woh-es.      "  For    I   know 

guide  you  into  all  truth."  John  this,    that    after    my    departing 

xvi.  13.  shall    grievous  wolves    enter  in 

491.  spiritual  armor.  SeeEphe-  among  you,  not  sparing  th« 
sians  vi.  11-17.  flock."     Acts  xx.  29. 

493.    Not  afraid  of  what  man        511.  lucre  and  ambition     Set 
can  do  against  them.     "Be  not    1  Peter  v.  2,  3. 
Afraid  of  them  that  kill  the  body, 


Book  XU]  PARADISE  LOST.  383 

Left  only  in  tliose  written  records  pure, 

Thougli  not  but  by  the  Spirit  undci-stood. 

Then  shall  they  seek  to  avail  themselves  of  names, 

Places,  and  titles,  and  with  these  to  join  616 

Secular  power,  though  feigning  still  to  act 

By  spiritual,  to  themselves  appropriating 

The  Spirit  of  God,  promised  alike  and  given 

To  all  believers  ;  and  from  that  pretence  520 

Spiritual  laws  by  carnal  power  shall  force 

On  every  conscience  ;  laws  which  none  shall  find 

Left  them  inrolled,  or  what  the  Spirit  within 

Shall  on  the  heai^t  engrave.      What  will  they  then 

But  force  the  Spirit  of  grace  itself,  and  bind  525 

His  consort  Liberty  ?      What,  but  unbuild 

His  living  temples,  built  by  faith  to  stand. 

Their  own  faith,  not  another's  ?  for  on  earth 

Who  against  faith  and  conscience  can  be  heard 

Infallible  ?  yet  many  will  presume  :  630 

Whence  heavy  persecution  shall  arise 

On  all  who  in  the  worship  persevere 

Of  spirit  and  truth  ;  the  rest,  far  greater  part, 

Will  deem  in  outward  rites  and  specious  forms 

Religion  satisfied  ;  Truth  shall  retire  636 

Bestuck  with  slanderous  darts,  and  works  of  faith 

Rarely  be  found.      So  shall  the  world  go  on, 

To  good  malignant,  to  bad  men  benign. 

Under  her  own  weight  groaning,  till  the  day 

Aj^ear  of  respiration  to  the  just  640 

And  vengeance  to  the  wicked,  at  return 

614.  fcM«,  except.  533.  spirit  and  truth.  SeeJcbn 

518.  spiritual,  spiritual  power,  ir.  23,  24. 

523.  thetJi,  to  them.  —  inro'.led  53S.    To  good,  to  good  men. 

In  the    Scriptures,   which   wore  540.      respiration,      breathing 

formerly  written     and    kept    iu  agtiin  ;  relief  or  restitution.    See 

rolls.  —  tvhni,  such  as.  Acts  iii.  21. 

526.  Liberty.  "  ^Vliere  the  541.  return.  "  For  the  Son  of 
Sj^irit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  man  shal'.  come  in  the  glory  of 
liberty."    2  Corinthians  iii.  17.  his  Father,  with  his  angels;  and 

527.  His  livins:  temples.  1  Co-  then  shall  he  reward  every  maj 
"inthians  iii.  16, 17. 


384  PARADISE  LOST.  I  Book  XU 

Of  him  so  lately  promised  to  thy  aid, 

The  woman's  seed,  obscurely  then  foretold, 

Now  amplier  known  thy  Saviour  and  thy  Lord  ; 

La^t  in  the  clouds  from  Heaven  to  be  revealed       540 

In  glory  of  the  Father,  to  dissolve 

Satan  with  his  perverted  world,  then  raise 

From  the  conflagrant  mass,  purged  and  refined, 

New  heavens,  new  earth,  ages  of  endless  date, 

Founded  in  righteousness  and  peace  and  love,  55C 

To  bring  forth  fruits,  joy  and  eternal  bliss." 

He  ended  ;   and  thus  Adam  last  replied  : 
"  How  soon  hath  thy  prediction,  seer  blest. 
Measured  this  transient  world,  the  race  of  time, 
Till  time  stand  fixed  !   beyond  is  all  abyss,  668 

Eternity,  whose  end  no  eye  can  reach. 
Greatly  instructed  I  shall  hence  depart. 
Greatly  in  peace  of  thought,  and  have  my  fill 
Of  knowledge,  what  this  vessel  can  contain  ; 
Beyond  which  was  my  folly  to  aspire.  seo 

Henceforth  I  learn  that  to  obey  is  best, 
And  love  with  fear  the  only  God,  to  walk 
As  in  his  presence,  ever  to  observe 
His  providence,  and  on  him  sole  depend, 
Merciful  over  all  his  works,  with  good  56B 

Still  overcoming  evil,  and  by  small 
Accomplishing  great  things,  by  things  deemed  weak 

o 
according  to  his  works."      Mat-    beyond  is  abyss,  immeasurable 
thew  xvi.  27.  depth. 

544.  amplier,    more    fully.  —        559.    ivhat,  all    of    knowledge 
knoivn,  known  as.  which. 

545.  in  the   clouds.    See  Mat-        560.  was,  it  was. 

thew  xxiv.  30.  561.  to  obey  is  best.     "  Behold, 

548.  conflagrant,  burning  to-  to  obey  is  better  than  sacrifice.'' 
fether,  with  a  3ommon  flame.  1  Samuel  xv.  22. 

549.  New  heavens,  new  earth.  505.    "  The  Lord  is  good  to  all ; 
Bee  2  Peter  iii.  10-13.  and  his  tender  mercies  are  ovei 

552.  last  replied,  replied  for  the    all  his  works."    Psalm  cxlv.  9. 
last  time.  566  -  569.      See  1   Corinthiani 

51-b.  bevcnd    is    all  abyss,  all    i.  26-29. 


Book  XII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  385 

Bubverting  worldly  strong  and  worldly  wise 
By  simply  meek ;  that  suffering  for  truth's  sake 
Is  fortitude  to  highest  victory,  670 

And,  to  the  faithful,  death  the  gate  of  life ; 
Taught  this  by  his  example,  Avliom  I  now 
Acknowledge  my  Redeemer  ever  blest." 

To  whom  thus  also  the  angel  last  replied  : 
"  This  having  learned,  thou  hast  attained  the  sum  676 
Of  wisdom ;  hope  no  higher,  though  all  the  stars 
Thou  knew'st  by  name,  and  all  the  ethereal  powers, 
All  secrets  of  the  deep,  all  Nature's  works, 
Or  works  of  God  in  heaven,  air,  earth,  or  sea, 
And  all  the  riches  of  this  world  enjoyedst,  5SU 

And  all  the  rule,  one  empire :   only  add 
Deeds  to  thy  knowledge  answerable ;  add  faith, 
Add  virtue,  patiem;e,  temperance,  add  love, 
By  name  to  come  called  charity,  the  soul 
Of  all  the  rest ;  then  wilt  thou  not  be  loath  686 

To  leave  this  Paradise,  but  shalt  possess 
A  paradise  within  thee,  happier  far. 
Let  us  descend  now  therefore  from  this  top 
Of  speculation,  for  the  hour  precise 
Exacts  our  parting  hence  ;  and  see,  the  guards        £90 
By  me  encamped  on  yonder  hill  expect 
Their  motion,  at  whose  front  a  flaming  sword, 
In  signal  of  remove,  waves  fiercely  round  : 
We  may  no  longer  stay.     Go,  waken  Sve  ; 
Her  also  I  with  gentle  dreams  have  calmed,  595 

Portending  good,  and  all  her  spirits  composed 
To  meek  submission ;  thou  at  season  fit 

569.  that.    See  Hue  561.  lation,  view,  —p'ecise,  fixed  ;  ap- 

576.  hope  no  higher,  hope  for  pointed, 

no  higher  attaiaraent.  590.   Exacts,  requires. 

581-585.  Soe  2  Peter  i.  5-7.—  591,592.   expect   their  mocion, 

thnrity.     See  1  Corinthians  xiii.  aw.iit   the  signal    to   move.  —  a 

688,  589.    this   top  of  specula-  faming  sword.    See  Gsnesis  ill 

tion.    See  XI.  376-3.S4.  -  specu-  ai. 
25 


586  PARADISE  LOST.  [Book  XIL 

Let  ber  with  thee  partake  what  thou  hast  heard, 

Chielly  what  may  concern  her  faith,  to  know, 

The  great  deUverance  by  her  seed  to  come  600 

(For  by  the  woman's  seed)  on  all  mankind ; 

That  ye  may  live,  which  may  be  many  days. 

Both  in  one  faith  unanimous,  though  sad 

With  cause  for  evils  past,  yet  much  more  cheered 

With  meditation  on  the  happy  end."  606 

He  ended,  and  they  both  descend  the  hill ; 
Descended,  Adam  to  the  bower  where  Eve 
Lay  sleeping  ran  before,  but  found  her  waked ; 
And  thus  with  words  not  sad  she  him  received  : 

"  Whence  thou    return'st,  and  whither  went'st,  I 
know ;  610 

For  God  is  also  in  sleep,  and  dreams  advise, 
Which  he  hath  sent  propitious,  some  great  good 
Presaging,  since  with  sorrow  and  heart's  distress 
Wearied  I  fell  asleep.     But  now  lead  on ; 
In  me  is  no  delay  ;  with  thee  to  go  616 

Is  to  stay  here  ;  without  thee  here  to  stay 
Is  to  go  hence  unwilling  ;  thou  to  me 
Art  all  things  under  heaven,  all  places  thou, 
Who  for  my  wilful  crime  art  banished  hence. 
This  further  consolation  yet  secure  630 

I  carry  hence  ;  though  all  by  me  is  lost, 
Such  favor  I  unworthy  am  vouchsafed. 
By  me  the  promised  Seed  shall  all  restore." 

So  spake  our  mother  Eve,  and  Adam  heard 
Well  pleased,  but  answered  not ;  for  now  too  nigh  Q3I 
The  Archangel  stood,  and  from  the  other  hill 
To  their  fixed  station,  all  in  bright  array, 

601.    For  by,  for  It  shall  come        611.  advist.  inform. 
by.     See  Galatians  iv.  4,  5.  627.  Jixed,  appointed 

f)03.  unanimous,  agreeing. 


Book  XII.]  PARADISE  LOST.  387 

riie  Cherubim  descended  ;  on  the  ground 
Gliding  meteorous,  as  evening  mist 
Risen  from  a  river  o'er  the  marish  glides,  030 

And  gathers  ground  fast  at  the  laborer's  heel 
Homeward  returning,      fligh  in  front  advanced 
The  bi-andished  sword  of  God  before  them  blazed 
Fierce  as  a  comet,  which  with  torrid  heat, 
And  vapor  as  the  Libyan  air  adust,  636 

Began  to  parch  that  temperate  clime  ;  whereat 
In  either  hand  the  hastening  angel  caught 
Our  lingering  parents,  and  to  the  eastern  gate 
Led  them  direct,  and  down  the  cliff  as  fast 
To  the  subjected  plain  ;  then  disappeared.  540 

'They,  looking  back,  all  the  eastern  side  beheld 
Of  Paradise,  so  late  their  happy  seat, 
Waved  over  by  that  flaming  brand,  the  gate 
With  dreadful  faces  thronged  and  fiery  arms. 
Some  natural  tears  they  dropped,  but   wiped  them 
soon ;  645 

The  world  was  all  before  them,  where  to  choose 
Their  place  of  rest,  and  Providence  their  guide. 
They,  hand  in  hand,  with  wandering  steps  and  slow 
Through  Eden  took  their  solitary  way. 

630.  marish,  marsh.  641.  eastern  side.   •'  At  the  east 

631.  gathers,  gains.  of  the  garden  of  Eden."    Genesis 

634.  tuhich,   the  sword.  —  tor-    iii.  24. 

rid,  burning.  643.  brand,  sword. 

635.  as  the  Libyan  air  adust,        644.    dreadful,   inspiring   with 
parched  as  the  air  of  the  Libyan    awe. 

desert.  —  adust.    See  VI.  514.  649.   Through  Eden.    The  gar 

640.  subjected,   lying  below  or    den    was    planted    "  in    Eden.» 
tnder.    A  Latinism ,  Genesis  ii,  8     See  IV  210-216. 


INDEX 

OF  WELL-KNOWN  LINES  AND  PASSAGES 


ibandon  fear  ;  to  strength  and  counsel  joined 

rtiink  nothing  iard,  much  less  to  be  despaired,     vi  494. 

Abashed  the  Devil  stood, 
A.nd  felt  how  awful  goodness  is,  and  saw 
Virtue  in  her  shape  how  lovely,     iv.  846. 

A.  bevy  of  fair  women,  richly  gay 
'n  gems  and  wanton  dress,     xi.  582. 

Able  to  drive 
All  sadness  but  despair,     iv.  155. 

Above  the  flight  of  Pegasean  wing.     vii.  4. 

A  broad  and  ample  road,  whose  dust  is  gold, 

And  pavement  stars,  as  stars  to  thee  appear,     vii.  67#. 

Adam,  the  goodliest  man  of  men  .'ince  born 

ILs  sons,  the  fairest  of  her  daughters  Eve.     iv.  323. 

A  death,  like  sleep, 
A  gentle  wafting  to  immortal  life.     xii.  434. 

A  grateful  mind 
By  owlhg  owes  not,  but  still  pays,  at  once 
Indebted  and  discharged,     iv.  55. 

A  happy  rural  seat  of  various  view.     iv.  247. 

A  lazar-house  it  seemed,  wherein  were  laid 
Numbers  of  all  diseased,     xi.  479. 

A  Limbo  large  and  broad,  since  called 
The  Paradise  of  Fools,     iii.  495. 

All  good  to  me  becomes 
Bane,  and  in  Heaven  much  worse  would  be  my  state,     tx.  122 

AJl  is  not  lost ;  the  unconquerable  will, 
And  study  of  revenge,  immortal  hate, 
ind  courage  never  to  submit  or  yield, 
ind  what  is  else  not  to  be  overcome,     i.  106. 


390  INDEX. 

Ml  what  we  affirm  or  what  deny,  and  call 
Our  knowledge  or  opinion,     v.  107. 

^  mind  not  to  be  changed  by  place  or  time.     i.  253. 

And  feel  that  I  am  happier  than  I  know.     viii.  282. 

And  men,  not  beasts,  shall  be  his  game.     xii.  30. 

And  sowed  with  stars  the  heaven  thick  as  a  field,     vii.  858. 

And  what  she  did,  whatever  in  itself, 

Her  doing  seemed  to  justify  the  deed.     x.  141. 

Anger  and  just  rebulce,  and  judgment  given,     ix.  10. 

Answering  scorn  with  scorn,     iv.  834. 

A  passage  broad, 
Smooth,  easy,  inoffensive,  down  to  Ilell.     x.  304. 

A  pillared  shade 
High  over-arched,  and  echoing  walks  between,     is.  1100 

Argues  no  leader,  but  a  liar  traced,     iv.  949. 

Assert  eternal  Providence, 
And  justify  the  ways  of  God  to  men.     i.  25. 

Awake,  arise,  or  be  forever  fallen  !     i.  330. 

A  wilderness  of  sweets,     v.  294. 

Best  quitted  with  disdain.  '  iv.  770. 

Better  to  reign  in  Ilell  than  serve  in  Ileaven.     i.  263. 

Bring  to  their  sweetness  no  satiety,     viii.  216 

But  ever  to  do  ill  our  sole  delight,     i.  160. 

But  not  in  silence  holy  kept.     vii.  594. 

By  his  gait, 
None  of  the  meanest,     xi.  230. 

By  merit  raised 
To  that  bad  eminence,     ii.  5. 

Celestial  rosy  red,  love's  proper  hue.     viii.  619. 

Cheered  with  the  grateful  smell  old  Ocean  smiles.     Iv.  16&. 

Choosing  rather 
Inglorious  life  with  servitude,     xii.  219. 

Close  ambition,  varnished  o'er  with  zeal.     M.  48&> 

Confusion  won>e  confounded,     ii.  996. 


INDEX.  391 

Consider  first,  that  great 
Or  bright  infers  not  excellence,     viii.  90. 

Convict  by  flight,  and  rebel  to  all  law.     x.  83. 

Creature  so  fair  his  reconcilement  seeking,     x.  943. 

Daughter  of  God  and  Man,  accomplished  Eve.     iv.  660. 

Demoniac  phrenzy,  moping  melancholy, 

And  mocn-struck  madness,  piuiug  atrophy,     xi.  485. 

Destined  man  himself  to  judge  man  fallen,     x.  tS 

Destroyers  rightlier  called,  and  plagues  of  men.     xi.  097. 

Differing  but  in  degree,  of  kind  the  same.     v.  490. 

Dim  sadness  did  not  spare 
That  time  celestial  visages,  yet  mixed 
With  pity  violated  not  their  bliss,     x.  23. 

Dwells  in  all  Ileaven  charity  so  dear  ?     iii.  216. 


Earth  felt  the  wound  ;  and  Nature  from  her  seat, 
Sighing  through  all  her  works,  gave  signs  of  woe 
That  aU  was  lost.     ix.  782. 

Earth  hath  this  variety  from  Ileaven.     vi.  640. 

Earth  in  her  rich  attire 
Consummate  lovely  smiled,     vii.  501. 

Earth  now 
Seemed  like  to  Ileaven,  a  seat  where  gods  might  dwell, 
Or  wander  with  delight,  and  love  to  haunt 
Her  sacred  shades,     vii.  323. 

Ease  would  recant 
Vows  made  in  pain,  as  violent  and  void.     iv.  96. 

Empty  of  all  good  wherein  consists 
Woman's  domestic  honor  and  chief  praise,     xi.  616. 

Eternal  silence  be  their  doom.     vi.  386- 

Even  in  Ileaven  his  looks  and  thoughts 
l\  ere  downward  bent.     1.680. 

Every  star  perhaps  a  world 
Of  destined  habitation,     vii.  621. 


Cril,  be  thou  my  good.     iv.  110. 


892  INDEX. 

Evil  into  the  mind  of  God  or  man 

May  come  and  go,  so  unapproved,  and  leave 

No  spot  or  blame  behind,     v.  117. 

Exhausted,  spiritless,  afiiicted,  fallen,     vi.  852 

Fancy  that  they  feel 
Divinity  within  them  breeding  wings,     ix.  1009. 

Fierce  hate  he  recollects,     ix.  471. 

Firm  peace  recovered  soon,  and  wo'hted  cahn.     v  210. 

F.owers  of  all  hue,  and  without  thorn  the  rose.     iv.  256. 

For  contemplation  he  and  valor  formed. 

For  softness  she  and  sweet  attractive  grace,     iv.  297. 

Forth  rushed  in  haste  the  great  consulting  peers,     x.  458 

From  her  best  prop  so  far,  and  storm  so  nigh.     ix.  433. 

From  mom 
To  noon  he  fell,  from  noon  to  dewy  eve, 
A  summer's  day.     i.  742. 

Gentle  airs,  due  at  their  hour. 
To  fan  the  earth  now  waked,  and  usher  in 
The  evening  cool.     x.  93. 

God  and  good  angels  guard  by  special  grace,     ii.  1033. 

God  is  thy  law,  thou  mine ;  to  know  no  more 

Is  woman's  happiest  knowledge  and  her  praise,     iv.  637. 

Golden  days,  fruitful  of  golden  deeds,     iii.  337. 

Good,  the  more 
Communicated,  more  abundant  grows,     v.  71. 

Goodness  thinlis  no  ill 
Vhere  no  ill  seems,     iii.  688. 

Gorgons,  and  Hydras,  and  Chimaeras  dire.     ii.  628 

Grace  that  won  who  saw  to  wish  her  stay,     vlii  4& 

Grace  was  in  all  her  steps,  heaven  in  her  eye, 
In  every  gesture  dignity  and  love.     viii.  488. 

Breatly  instructed  I  shall  hence  depart,     xii.  557. 

Grinned  horrible  a  ghastly  smile,     ii.  846. 


Hail,  holy  Light,  offspring  of  Heaven  first-bom !     Iii.  1. 
5alf  yet  remains  unsung,     vii  21 


TNLEX.  393 


Happier  thou  mayst  be,  worthier  caiut  not  be      v.  76. 

lie  above  the  rest 
In  shnpe  and  gesture  proudly  eminent 
Stood  like  a  tower,     i.  689. 


He 

For  dignity  composed  and  high  exploit,     ii.  110. 

Heaven  opened  wide 
tier  ever-during  gates,  harmonious  sound 
On  golden  hinges  moving,     vii.  205. 

[lencefbrth  I  learn,  that  to  obey  is  best, 
And  love  with  fe;ir  the  only  Uod.     xii.  5G1 

Herself  a  fairer  flower,     iv.  270. 

Hide  their  diminished  heads,     iv.  85. 

High  on  a  throne  of  ro3'al  state,  which  far 
Outshone  the  wealth  of  Ormus  and  of  Ind.     ii.  1. 

Him  first  make  sure  your  thrall,  and  lastly  kill.     x.  40S- 

His  best  of  man.     xi.  497. 

His  form  had  yet  not  lost 
All  her  original  brightness,     i.  591. 

His  former  name 
Is  heard  no  more  in  Heaven,     v.  653. 

ULs  gentle  ditmb  expression.     Is.  527. 

His  journey's  end,  and  our  beginning  woe.     iii.  633. 

Hope  conceiving  from  despair,     vi.  787. 

Hope  elevates  and  joy 
Brightens  his  crest,     ix.  633. 

Hope  never  comes 
That  comes  to  all.     i.  66. 

How  glad  would  Lay  me  down, 
As  in  uiy  mother's  lap  I     x.  777. 

Hurled  to  and  fro  with  jaculation  dire.     vi.  666. 

Hypocrisy,  the  only  evil  that  walks 
Invisible  except  to  God  alone,     iii.  683. 

Imaginations,  aery  shapes,     v.  105 
In  a  troubled  sea  of  passion  tost.     x.  718. 
In  himself  was  all  his  state,     v.  863. 


894  INDEX. 

In  memory 
Or  monument  to  ages.     xi.  325. 

In  mystic  dance  not  without  song.     v.  178. 

In  small  room  large  heart  enclosed,     vii.  486. 

In  solitude 
rrhat  happiness,  who  can  enjoy  alone, 
Or,  ali  enjoying,  wh-_t  contentment  find  ?     riii.  364. 

In  telling  wound, 
AJid  in  performing  end  us.     xi.  2'J9. 

In  the  lowest  deep  a  lower  deep.     iv.  76. 

In  vain, 
If  none  regard,     v.  43. 

In  wished  hour 
Of  my  revenge,  first  sought  for.     vi.  150. 

In  word  mightier  than  they  in  arms,     vi  32. 

Knowledge  of  good  bought  dear  by  knowing  ill.     iv 

Like  in  punishment, 
ha  in  their  crime,     x.  544. 

Lives  there  who  loves  his  pain  ?     iv.  888. 

Long  choosing,  and  beginning  late,     ix,  26. 

Love  was  not  in  their  looks,  either  to  God 
Or  to  each  other,     x.  111. 


ilajestic  though  in  ruin.     ii.  305. 

Make  the  worse  appear 
The  better  reason,     ii.  113. 

Mammon,  the  least  erected  spirit  that  fell 
From  llcaven.     i.  G79. 

Me  miserable  !  which  way  shall  I  fly 
Infinite  wrath  and  mfinite  despair  ?     iv.  73. 

Men  who  attend  the  altar,  and  should  most 
Endeavor  peace,     xii.  354. 

Millions  of  spiritual  creatures  walk  the  earth 

Unseen,  both  when  we  wake  and  when  we  Pleep.     !▼.  877 

My  early  visitation,  and  my  last 
i*  even.     xi.  275. 


INDEX,  395 


NameleM  in  dark  oblivion  let  them  dwell,     yi.  3S0. 

Necessity, 
The  tyrant's  plea.     iv.  393. 

Night 
Invests  the  sea,  and  wished  morn  delays,     i.  207. 

No  falsehood  can  endure 
Pouch  of  celestial  temper,  but  returns 
Of  force  to  its  own  likeness,     iv.  811. 
No  light,  but  rather  darkness  visible,     i.  63. 

Nor  ever  saw  till  now 
Sight  more  detestable  than  him  and  thee.     ii.  744. 

Nor  love  thy  life,  nor  hate  ;  but  what  thou  liv'st 

Live  well  ;  how  long,  how  short,  permit  to  lleaven.     xi.  553. 

Nor  number  nor  example  with  him  wrought 

To  swerve  from  truth,  or' change  his  constant  mind, 

Though  single,     v.  901. 

Nor  think,  though  men  were  none, 
That  heaven  would  want  spectators,  God  want  praise,     iv.  675- 

Not  to  know  me  argues  yourselves  unknown,     iv.  830. 

Now  came  still  evening  on,  and  twilight  gray 
Had  in  her  sober  livery  all  things  clad.     iv.  598. 

Now  I  see 
Peace  to  corrupt  no  less  than  war  to  waste,     xi.  783. 

Now  learn  too  late 
How  few  sometimes  may  know,  when  thousands  err.     vi.  148 

Now  Mom,  her  rosy  steps  in  the  eastern  clime 
Advancing,  sowed  the  earth  with  orient  pearl,     v.  i. 

O'er  many  a  frozen,  many  a  fiery  Alp.     ii.  620. 

0  fairest  of  creation,  last  and  best 
Of  all  God's  works  !     ix.  896. 

Of  Man's  first  disobedience,  and  the  fruit 
Of  that  forbidden  tree,  whose  mortal  tjiste 
Brought  death  into  the  world  and  all  our  woe.     i.  1. 

Oft  invoked 
With  vows,  as  their  chief  good  and  final  hope.     xi.  492. 

On  some  great  charge  employed 
Ha  seemed,  or  fixed  in  cogitation  deep.     iii.  623. 

On  their  hinges  grate 
Harsh  thunder,     ii.  881. 


59  G  INDEX. 

0  sacred  name  of  faithfulness  profaned  !     iv.  951. 
3  unexpected  stroke,  worse  than  of  death  !     xi.  268. 
Outrageous  as  a  sea,  dark,  wasteful,  wild.     vii.  212. 

Part  good,  part  bad  ;  of  bad  the  longer  scroll,     xii.  3 

Patiently  resign 
What  justly,  thou  hast  lost.     xi.  287. 

Perrerts  best  things 
To  worst  abuse,  or  to  their  meanest  use.     iv.  203. 

Reasoned  high 
Of  providence,  foreknowledge,  will,  and  fate, 
Fixed  fate,  free  will,  foreknowledge  absolute  ; 
And  found  no  end,  in  wandering  mazes  lost.     li.  558. 

Regardless  whether  good  or  evil  fame.     xii.  47. 

Revenge,  at  first  though  sweet, 
Bitter  ere  long  back  on  itself  recoils,     ix.  171. 

Rose,  like  an  exhalation,     i.  711. 


Babean  odors  from  the  spicy  shore 
Of  Araby  the  Blest,     iv.  1G2. 

Sagacious  of  his  quarry  from  so  far.     x.  281. 

Sat  hke  a  cormorant,     iv.  196. 

Seems  wisest,  virtuousest,  discreetest,  best.     viii.  6i 

Semblance  of  worth,  not  substance,     i.  529. 

Shall,  with  their  freedom  lost,  all  virtue  lose 
And  fear  of  God.     xi.  798. 

Shalt  possess 
A  paradise  within  thee,  happier  far.     xii.  587. 

Sight  of  vernal  bloom,  or  summer's  rose, 
Or  flocks,  or  herds,  or  himaan  face  divine,     iii.  43 

Siloa's  brook,  that  flowed 
Fast  by  the  oracle  of  God.     i.  11. 

Bmit  with  the  love  of  sacred  song.     iii.  29. 

Bo  clomb  this  first  grand  thief  into  God's  fold  •, 
go  into  his  church  lewd  hirelings  climb,     iv.  192. 

So  farewell,  hope  ;  and  with  hope,  farewell  fear  ; 
'i'arewell,  remorse  :  all  good  to  me  is  lost.     iv.  108 


INDEX.  39< 

Boft  words  to  his  fierce  passion  she  assayed,     x.  865. 

Bollcit  not  thy  thoughts  with  matters  liid.     Tiii.  167. 

Solitude  sometimes  is  best  society,     ix.  249. 

Bo  saying,  witn  despatchful  looks  in  haste 

She  turns,  on  hospitable  thoughts  intent,     v.  331. 

So  spake  the  cherub  ;  and  his  grave  rebuke, 
Severe  in  youthful  beauty,  added  grace 
Invincible,     iv.  844. 

So  spake  the  seraph  Abdiel,  faithful  found 
Among  the  faithless,  faithful  only  he.     v.  896. 

Such  fatal  consequence  ULJtes  us  three,     x.  364. 

Sweet  interchange 
Of  hill  and  valley,  rivers,  woods,  and  plains.     Ix.  116. 

Sweet  the  coming  on 
Of  grateful  evening  mild.     iv.  646. 

Tears,  such  as  angels  weep.     i.  620. 

That  space  the  evil  one  abstracted  stood 
From  his  own  evil.     ix.  463. 

That  suffering  for  truth's  sake 
Is  fortitude  to  highest  victory,     xii.  569. 

That  would  be  wooed,  and  not  unsought  be  won.     viii.  60S. 

The  better  fortitude 
Of  patience  and  heroic  martyrdom 
Unsung,     ix.  31. 

The  brazen  throat  of  war  had  ceased  to  roar.     xi.  713. 

The  goodly  prospect  of  some  foreign  land 
First  seen.     iii.  548. 

The  height  of  this  great  argimient.     i.  24. 

The  invention  all  admired,  and  each  how  he 

To  be  the  inventor  missed,  so  easy  it  seemed 

Once  found,  which  yet  unfound  most  would  have  thought 

Impossible,     vi.  498. 

The  mind  is  its  own  place,  and  in  it.self 

Can  make  a  heaven  of  llell,  a  hell  of  Ueaven.     I.  254. 

The  perilous  edge 
W  battle  when  it  raged,     i."  276. 

Q'he  tenier  grass,  whose  verdure  clad 
Ber  aniversal  lace  with  pleasant  green,     vii.  315. 


398  INDEX. 


Tbe  work  some  praise, 
And  some  the  architect,     i.  731. 

The  world  was  all  before  them  where  to  choose 

Their  place  of  rest,  and  Provideuce  their  guide,     xii.  646 

Then,  when  T  am  thy  captive,  talk  of  chaias.     iv.  9V0. 

These  are  thy  glorious  works,  Parent  of  good. 

Almighty  !  thine  this  universjil  fnmie. 

Thus  wondrous  fair  ;  thyself  how  wondrous  then  '.     v.  153 

Thick  as  autumnal  leaves  that  strow  the  brooks 
In  Vallombrosa.     i.  302. 

This  fair  defect 
Of  nature,     x.  891. 

Things  unattempted  yet  in  prose  or  rhyme,     i.  16. 

This  intellectual  being, 
These  thoughts  that  wander  througli  eternity,     ii.  147. 

This  was  all  thy  care. 
To  stand  approved  in  sight  of  God,  though  worlds 
Judged  thee  perverse,     vi.  35. 

Though  fallen  on  evil  days.     vii.  25. 

Thou,  my  shade 
Inseparable,  must  with  me  along,     x.  249. 

Those  graceful  acts, 
Those  thousand  decencies,  that  daily  liow 
From  all  her  words  and  actions,     viii.  600. 

To  be  weak  is  miserable, 
Doing  or  suffering,     i.  157. 

To  create 
Ib  greater  than  created  to  destroy,     vii.  C06. 

To  sing,  to  dance, 
To  dress,  and  troll  the  tongue,  and  roll  the  eye.     xi.  619. 

To  suffer,  as  to  do, 
Our  strength  is  equal,     ii.  199. 

To  vice  industriotLs,  but  to  nobler  deeds 
tjimorous  and  slothful,     ii.  116. 

Tyranny  must  be, 
riiough  to  the  tyrant  thereby  no  excuse,     xii.  95. 


Inder  amazement  of  their  hideous  change,     i.  S13. 


INDEX.  399 

Upheld  by  old  repute, 
Uonsent,  or  custom,    i.  039. 

Unpractised,  unprepared,  and  still  to  seek.     Viii.  197. 

Fain  wisdom  ail,  and  false  philosophy,     ii.  565. 

War  seemed  a  civil  game 
To  this  uproar,     vi.  6G7. 

Was  filled 
With  admiration  and  deep  muse,  to  hear 
Of  things  so  high  and  strange,     vii.  51. 

Was  the  first 
That  practised  falsehood  under  saintly  show.     iv.  121 

UTiat  in  me  is  dark 
Illmnine,  what  is  low  raise  and  support,     i.  22. 

What  pleasing  seemed,  for  her  now  pleases  more.     ix.  463. 

\7hat  seemed  his  head 
rhe  Ukeness  of  a  kingly  crown  had  on.     ii.  672. 

Whence  and  what  art  thou,  execrable  shape  ?     ii.  681. 

Wliere  honor  due  and  reverence  none  neglects,     iii.  733 

Which  way  I  fly  is  hell ;  myself  am  hell.     iv.  75. 

Which,  were  it  toilsome,  yet  with  thee  were  sweet.     It.  439. 

While  day  arises,  that  sweet  hour  of  prime,     v.  170. 

■^Vlaile  yet  we  live,  scarce  one  short  hour  perhaps, 
Between  us  two  let  there  be  peace,     x.  923 . 

Who  overcomes 
By  force,  hath  overcome  but  half  his  foe.     i.  648. 

Who  shall  tempt  with  wandering  feet 
The  dark  unbottomed  infinite  abyss  ?     ii.  404. 

Who,  to  surprise 
One  man,  assassin-like  had  levied  war, 
War  unproclaimed.     xi.  218. 

WiL  prove  no  sudden,  but  a  slow-paced  evil.     x.  963. 

Wisdom  at  one  entrance  quite  shut  out.     iii.  6C 

With  fear  of  change 
Perplexes  monarchs.     i.  598. 

With  gray* 
Lsp«ct  he  rose,  and  in  his  rising  seemed 
A  pillar  of  state,     ii.  300. 


400  INDEX. 

With  show  of  zeal  and  love 
To  man,  and  indication  at  his  %vTong.     ix.  666- 

U'ith  thee  conversing,  I  forget  all  tiniP.     iv.  639. 

With  thee  to  go, 
Is  to  stay  here  ;  without  thee  here  to  stay, 
Is  to  go  hence  unwilhng.     xii   61f> 


Yet  th^  post 
Hot  of  m«au  suiton.     zi.  8 


INDEX. 


Aaron's  breastplate,  iii  598. 
(Lbana  and  Pharphar,  i.  469. 
Abariin,  i.  408. 
Abdiel  (a  seraph),  opposes  Satan, 

V.  805-907  ;    is  applauded,  vi. 

21-'i3 ;    encounters    Satan,   vi. 

107-198  ;   overthrows   three  of 

the  follen  angels,  vi.  369-372. 
Abominations,     the    shrines     of 

heathen  gods,  i.  389. 
Abraham,  xii.  113-153,  273. 
Abraham's  faith,  xii.  449. 
Accaron     and     Gaza's     frontier 

bounds,  i.  466. 
Acheron  (a  river  of  Ilell),  ii.  578. 
Achilles,  i.x.  15. 
Adam  and  Eve  first  described,  iv. 

288-324. 
Adam,  our  second,  xi.  383 
Address  to  Light,  iii.  1-55. 
Adonis,  i.  450  ;  ix.  440. 
Adramelech  and  A.smadai,  vi.  365. 
Adria,  i.  520. 

Adversary  (Satan),  ii.  629;  adver- 
sary-serpent, xii.  312. 
^tna"  i.  233 ;    Mtna.    flames,   iii. 

470. 
Afer  (wind  from  Africa),  x.  702. 
Afric  shore,  i.  585. 
Agra   and    Labor,   cities    of    the 

Great  Mogul,  xi.  391. 
Ahaz.  king  of  Judah.  i.  472. 
Aialon  (or  Ajalon),  xii.  266. 
Aladule,  x.  435. 
Alcairo,  i.  718. 
Alcides,  ii.  542. 
Alcinous,  V.  341 ;  ix.  441. 
Aleian  field,  vii.  19. 
Almausor,  xi.  403. 
Amalthca,  the  mother  of  Bacchus, 

iv.  278. 
Amara,  Mount,  iv.  281. 
Amarant,  a  flower  transplanted 
26 


from  Paradise  to  IleaTen,  UI 

353-364. 

Amazonian  targe,  ix.  1111. 

American,  ix.  1116. 

Ammiral,  i.  294. 

Ammon,  Ammonian  Jove,  iv. 
277;  ix.  508. 

Amram's  son.  i.  339. 

Anarch  old  (Chaos),  ii.  988. 

Andromeda  (the  constellation^  iii. 
659. 

Angola,  xi.  401. 

Aouian  mount  'seat  of  the  Muses), 
i.  15. 

Apostles,  their  mission  and  their 
work,  xii.  4.38-450,  479-507. 

Apple,  fruit  of  the  Tree  of  Knowl- 
edge so  called,  x.  487  ;  ix.  585. 

Araby  the  Blest,  iv.  163  ;  Arabian 
shore,  iii.  537. 

Arcadian  pipe,  xi.  132. 

Argo  (the  ship),  ii.  1017. 

Argob  (and  Basan),  i.  398. 

Argument  of  the  poem,  i.  1-26  ; 
ix.  1-47. 

Argus  (the  hundred-eyed),  xi.  131. 

Ariel,  Arioch,  and  llamiel,  van- 
quished by  Abdiel,  vi.  369-371. 

Aries  (the  sign),  x.  329. 

Arimaspiitn,  ii.  945. 

Ark  (Noiih's).  its  building  des- 
cribed, xi.  728-732,  819. 

Ark  of  the  covenant,  i.  458  ;  xii 
249-251.  333,  340. 

Arnon  (the  river),  i.  399. 

Aroer,  i.  407. 

Asmodeus  (an  evil  spirit),  iv.  168. 

Asphaltic  pool,  i.  411 ;  slime,  x. 
298. 

Aspramont  or  Montalban,  i   583. 

Assyrian  mount,  iv.  126  ;  gardea 
iv.  285. 

Astoreth  (or  Astarte),  i.  437-443. 


402 


INDEX. 


Astracan  (Astrachan),  x.  432, 

Astrea  (the  constellation),  iv.  998. 

Astronomer  (probably  Galileo),  iii. 
589. 

Atabalipa  (Inca  of  Peru),  xi.  409. 

Athens,  where  eloquence  flourish- 
ed, ix.  671. 

Atlas  mount,  xi,  402 ;  iv.  987- 

Atlantean  shoulders,  ii.  300. 

Atlantic  seas,  iii.  559  ;  Sisters,  x. 
674. 

Auran  (or  Ilaran),  iv.  211. 

Aurora's  fan,  v.  6. 

Ausonian  land  (Italy),  1.  739. 

Authentic  will,  iii.  656 ;  fire,  iv. 
719. 

Azazel,  Satan's  standard-bearer, 
i.534. 

Azores,  iv.  592. 

Azotus,  the  seat  of  the  temple  of 
Dagon,  i.  464. 

Baalim  and  Ashtaroth  (repre- 
sented as  fallen  angels),  i.  422. 

Babel,  i.  694  ;  iii.  466  ;  its  building 
described,  xii.  37  -62. 

Babylon,  i.  717  ;  place  of  the  Cap- 
tivity, xii.  342-345. 

Bacchus  hid,  iv.  279 ;  and  his 
revellers,  vii.  33. 

Bactrian  Sophi,  x.  433. 

Baptism,  what  the  Sign  of,  xii. 
442-444  ;  baptized,  the  Holy 
Spirit  given  to  all  such,  xii. 
497-500. 

Barbaric  pearl  and  gold,  ii.  4. 

Barca  or  Gyrene  d  torrid  soil,  ii. 
904. 

Battles  and  single  combats  be- 
tween the  faithful  and  rebel- 
lious angels  described,  vi.  198- 
866. 

Beasts,  their  creation  described, 
vii.  449-474. 

Beelzebub,  next  in  power  to  Sa- 
tan, i.  78-81 ;  his  first  reply  to 
Satan  after  their  fall  from 
Heaven,  i.  128-155  ;  second 
reply,  i.  271-282  ;  speech  in 
council,  ii.  300-385. 
Beersaba  (Becrsheba),  iii.  536. 
Behemoth,  biggest  born  of  earth, 

vii.  471. 
tJelial,  (and  his  sons),  i.  490-502; 
described,  ii.  108-117 ;   speech 
in    council,    u.    119-228;    his 
scoffing  words,  vi.  620-62^ 


Belleiophon,  bis  fall  from  Pega- 
sus, vii.  18. 

"Bellona  (goddess  of  war),  ii.  922. 

Belus  (or  Bel,  a  Babylonish  idol), 
i.  720. 

Bengala  (Bengal),  ii.  638. 

Bethel,  (and  Dan),  i.  485. 

Birds,  their  creation  described, 
?*K  417-446. 

Biserta,  i.  585. 

Bizance  (Byzantium),  xi.  395. 

Blindness,  reference  of  the  poet  to 
his  own,  iii.  22-50 ;  vii.  27. 

Borfsas  and  Csecias  and  Argestea 
k  ud  and  Thrascias  (windJs),  X. 
699. 

Bosporus,  passage  of  Argo 
through,  ii.  1018. 

Bower  of  Adam  and  Eve  in  Para- 
dise described,  iv.  689-708. 

Briareos  (the  hundred-handed),  i. 
199 

Bridge  built  by  Sin  and  Death 
from  Hell  to  Earth  over  Chaos, 
ii.  1023-1033  ;  x.  282-320. 

British  and  Armoric  knights,  i 
581. 

Busiris  (Pharoah),  i.  307. 


Cain  and  Abel,  their  story  related, 

xi.  429^47. 
Calabria,  ii.  661. 
Cambalu,  seat  of  Cathaian  Can, 

xi.  388. 
Canaan,  its  limits  described,  xii. 

135-145  ;  its  conquest,  xii.  260- 

269. 
Cape  of  Hope,  iv.  160. 
Capricorn  (the  sign),  x.  677. 
Carmel,  Mount,  xii.  144. 
Carol  (song  of  the  angels),  xii 

367. 
Casius,  Mount,  ii.  593. 
Caspian,  description  of  a  tempest 

on  that  sea,  ii.  714-718. 
Castalian  spring,  iv.  274. 
Cathaian  coast,  x.  293;   Can  (ot 

Khan),  xi.  388. 
Causey  to  Hell-gate,  x,  415.     Foi 

description,  see  Bridge. 
Celtic  (fields),  i.  521. 
Centaur   (the   sign    SagittariuB), 

X.  328. 
Cerberean  mouths,  ii.  655. 
Ceres,  the  mother  of  Proserpine 

iv.  271;  goddess  of  grain,  It 


INDEX. 


403 


981 ;  Eye  compared  to  her,  be. 

395. 
Dhani  (Ilam),    iv.  276 ;    son    of 

Noah,  xii.  101-104. 
Chaos,    his    realm   described,   ii. 

8yi-91t5 :  vii.  211-215  ;  his  court, 

ii.  a5t»-yiJ7  ;  his  reply  to  Satan, 

ii.  990-1009. 
Charleniain,  i.  586. 
Charybdis,  ii.  1020. 
Chemos  (or  I'eor),  the  god  of  the 

Moabites.  i.  406^18. 
Cherisouese  (the  Golden),  xi.  392. 
Chinia;ras  dire,  ii.  628. 
Chinescs,  iii.  438. 
Chivalry  (cavalry),  i.  307  ;  Panim, 

i.  765. 
Church,  hirelings  in  it,  iv.  193. 
Circean  (relating  to  the  sorceress 

Circe),  ix.  522. 
Cleombrotus.  iii.  471-473. 
Cocy  tus  (a  river  of  Hell),  ii.  579. 
Columbus,  ix.  1116. 
Comet,  Satan  compared  to  one,  ii. 

707-711 ;   the  sword  of  God  so 

compared,  xii.  634. 
Commonalty,   popular  tribes  of, 

vii.  489. 
Congo,  xi.  401. 

Conjugal  obedience  woman's  hap- 
.     piuess,  iv.  034-638. 
Conscience  God's  umpire  in  man, 

iii.  194-197 ;  its  terrors,  iv.  23- 

26 ;  x.  842. 
Constellations,  their  starry  dance, 

iii.  5S0. 
Crab  (the  sign  Cancer),  x.  675. 
Creation   described,  iii.  708^-721 : 

vii.  221-557. 
Crete  and  Ida,  i.  514. 
Cronian  sea,  x.  290. 
Cusco  in  Peru,  xi.  408. 
Cyclades,  v.  2*34. 
Cytherea's  son  (iEneas),  ix.  19. 

Damascus,  i.  468  ;  Damasco,  i.  584. 

Danaw  (Danube),  i.  353. 

David,  promise  made  to  him,  xii. 
820-330,  345-347. 

Death  and  Sin,  their  station  at  the 
gates  of  Hell,  ii.  649  ;  x.  229-234  ; 
their  union  inseparable,  x.  251 ; 
their  bridge,  x.  282-320  ;  their 
journey  to  the  earth,  x.  410-414  ; 
their  arrival  in  Paradise,  x.  585- 
690  ;  their  work  there,  x.  610- 
613 ;  their  doom,  x.  632-637. 


Death  nitural,  its  many  shapes, 

xi.  466-493;  to  the  faithful,  a 

sleep,  xii.  435,  and  the  gate  of 

hfe,  xii,  571. 
Delia  (Diana),  comparison  of  Eve 

to  her,  ix.  388-390. 
Delos  or  8amo.s  first   appearing, 

V.  265  ,  Delos,  floating  once,  x. 

296. 
Delphian  cliff,  i.  517. 
Deluge     described,    xi.    738-753, 

824-835. 
Deniogorgon,  the  dreaded  name, 

ii.  965. 
Despair,  Satan's,  iv.  73-110. 
DeucaUon  and  chaste  Pvrrha,  xi. 

12. 
Dict.nean  Jove,  x.  584. 
Dinner  in  Paradise,  prepared  by 

Eve,   V.  303-.307,  331-349.  391- 

395  ;  partaken  of,  v.  433-445. 
Dis(Pluto),  iv.  270. 
Discord,  the  daughter  of  Sin,  her 

works,  X.  707-714  ;  censured,  ii 

496-505. 
Divan  (council),  x.  457. 
Dodona,  i.  518. 
Dominic  (founder  of  an  order  of 

friars),  iii.  4?9. 
Dominion  absolute  of  man  over 

man  condemned,  xii.  64-71. 
Dorado  (El  Dorado,  the  Gilded  or 

Golden),  xi.  411. 
Dorian  mood  (measure),  i.  550. 
Doric  land,  i.  519  ;  pillars,  i.  714. 
Dothan,  xi.  217. 
Dove  sent  forth  from  the  Ark,  xi. 

856-860. 
Dreams,  of  Eve,  inspired  by  Satan, 

iv.  799-809  ;  related  by  her  to 

Adam,  v.  28-93  ;  accounted  for 

by  him,  v.  100-121 ;  of  Adam, 

viii.  285-311,  460-480  ;   of  Eve, 

inspired  by  the  archangel,  xii. 

594-597,  6il ;  of  Jacob,  iii.  610- 

515. 
Drop  serene  (gutta  serena,  a  cause 

of  blindness),  iii.  25. 

Eagle  becomes  a  bird  ef  prey,  a 
consequence  of  the  Fall,  xi.  184- 
186. 

Earth,  its  creation,  vii.  232-242; 
the  shadow  of  Heaven,  v.  574- 
676  ;  apostrophized  and  praised 
by  Satiin,  ix.  99-118. 


404 


INDEX. 


Ecbatan  (Ecbatana,  a  city  of  Per- 
sia), xi.  3'J3. 

Eden,  its  situation,  iv.  209-215. 

Egypt,  her  gods,  i.  476^89;  the 
descendants  of  Abraham  there, 
xii.  155-172 ;  its  plagues,  xii. 
173-21'1  ;  Egypt's  evil  day,  i. 
339. 

Eleale  (in  the  country  of  Moab),  i. 
411. 

Election  asserted,  iii.  183,  184. 

Eli's  sons,  i.  495. 

Elysium,  Plato's,  iii.  472  ;  Elysian 
lowers,  iii.  359. 

Erapedocles  (a  philosopher),  his 
fate,  iii.  471. 

Enna,  field  of,  iv.  269. 

Enoch,  his  story  related,  xi.  664- 
671  ;  his  translation,  xi.  700- 
709. 

Epidaurus,  ix.  507. 

Ercoco,  the  port  of  Negus,  xi.  398. 

Erebus  (the  place  of  darkness),  ii. 
883. 

Estotiland,  x.  686. 

Ethiop  line,  iv.  282 ;  Ethiopian 
(sea),  ii.  641. 

Euboic  sea,  ii.  546. 

Euphrates,  i.  420  ;  xii.  114. 

Europe  with  Asia  joined,  x.  310. 

Eurus  and  Zephyr,  x.  705. 

Eurynome  (wide-encroaching),  x. 
581. 

Eve's  soliloquy,  before  eating  the 
fruit,  ix.  745-779  ;  after  eating 
it,  ix.  795-833 ;  on  the  threat- 
ened expulsion  from  Paradise, 
xi.  268-285. 

Evening,  in  Paradise,  iv.  598- 
609  ;  X.  92-95 ;  hymn,  iv.  720- 
735. 

Evil,  when  blameless,  v.  117-119. 

Ezekiel,  his  vision,  i.  455. 

Faith,  not  void  of  works,  the  con- 
dition of  offered  life,  xii.  425- 
427  ;  justification  by,  xii.  294r- 
299  ;  the  law  of,  xii.  488-490. 

Fancy,  its  office,  v.  100-113  ;  in- 
ternal sight,  viii.  461 ;  apt  to 
rove,  viii.  188. 

Fate  the  will  of  God,  vii.  173. 

Faunus  (a  rural  divinity),  iv.  708. 

Fesole,  near  Florence,  i.  289. 

Fez  and  Sus,  xi.  403. 

Fig-tree  described,  ix.  1101-1110. 

firmament  described,  vii.  261- 
275. 


Fish,  their  creation  Jescril)«d,  fil 

387-416. 

Flaming  sword  at  the  gate  ol 
Paradise,  xii.  592,  632-643. 

Flood.     See  Deluge. 

Fontarabbia,  i.  587. 

Freedom,  its  loss  the  loss  of  vir- 
tue, xi.  798. 

Free  grace  declared,  iii.  173-182^ 
227-231. 

Free  will  asserted,  iii.  95-111 ;  ix 
350. 

Franciscan  (weeds),  iii.  480. 

Furies,  harpy-footed,  ii.  596. 

Gabriel,  his  station  at  the  gatfl 
of  Paradise,  iv.  549-554  ;  hia 
charge,  iv.  561-563 ;  appointed 
one  of  the  chiefs  of  the  celestial 
army,  vi.  45-47 ;  his  prowess  in 
battle,  vi.  354-362. 

Galileo,  the  astronomer,  men- 
tioned, V.  262  :  doubtless  re- 
ferred to,  i.  287-291 ;  iii.  589- 
590. 

Ganges  or  Ilydaspes,  Indian 
streams,  iii.  4.36  ;  Gauges  and 
Indus,  ix.  82. 

Garden  of  Eden  described,  iv. 
214-287  ;  by  Adam,  viii.  303- 
307 ;  gardens  feigned,  ix.  439- 
441. 

Gate  of  Heaven  described,  iii.  504- 
509  ;  of  Paradise,  iv.  543-548  ; 
gates  of  Hell,  ii.  643-648. 

Gath  and  Ascalon  (cities  of  the 
Philistines),  i.  465. 

Gehenna,  the  type  of  Hell,  i.  405. 

Gentiles  (heathens),  iv.  277 ; 
(Greeks),  xii.  310. 

Geryon's  sons  (Spaniards^,  xi.  410. 

Giants  before  the  Flood,  iii.  463- 
465 ;  xi.  638-642. 

Gibeah.  i.  504. 

Gibeon,  xii.  265. 

Gibraltar,  i.  355. 

Glory,  commonly  so  called,  ad. 
688-699. 

Golgotha  (the  place  of  the  Cruet 
fixion),  iii.  477. 

Gordian  twine,  iv.  348. 

Gorgons,  ii.  628 ;  Wedusa  one  of 
them,  ii.  611;  x.  527. 

Goshen  (in  Egypt),  i.  309. 

Grace  resisted,  consequences  o| 
iii.  lO'S-202. 

Graces  (attendants  of  Venus),  If 
267. 


INDEX. 


405 


Suiana,  yet  unspoiled,  xi.  410. 
Sunpowder,  its  invention  ascribed 
to  Satan,  vi.  470-491,  508-520. 

Hallelujahs,    heavenly,    vi.   742- 

745. 
Hamath,   on    the    north    of    the 

Promised  Land,  xii.  139. 
Haran  (in  Mesopotamia),  xii.  131. 
Heaven,    its  joys    described,  iii. 

344-371 
Hell,    its    horrors    portrayed,   i. 

59-75. 
Hellespont,  bridged  over,  x.  309. 
Hercules,   his  rage,  ii.   542-546  ; 

Herculean  Samson,  ix.  1060. 
Hermes  (Mercury),   iii.   603;  iv. 

717  i  xi    133  ;  Maia's  son,  v. 

285. 
Hermione  (Ilarmonia)  and  Cad- 
mus, changed  to  serpents,  ix. 

506. 
Hermon,  Mount,  xii.  142. 
Hesebon  and  Iloronaim  (cities  of 

the  Moabites),  i.  408. 
Hesperus  (the  western  or  evening 

star),  iv.  605 ;  ix.  48-51 ;  Hes- 
perian,   fields    (Italy),   i.   520; 

gardens  (islands  of  the  Ilesper- 

ides),  iii.  568 ;  fables  true,  iv. 

250  ;  isles,  viii.  632. 
Hierarchs,  chiefs  of  the  heavenly 

orders,  v.  587. 
Hinnom,  the  valley  of,  i.  404. 
Hispahan,   a  city  of  Persia,   xi. 

3t^i. 
Holy  Land,  its  southern  border, 

iii.  538. 
Hosannas,  heavenly,  iii.  348 ;  vi. 

205. 
Holy  Spirit,  descent  of,  xii.  485- 

502. 
Hours  (goddesses  of  the  seasons), 

iv.  267  ;  vi.  3. 
Hunter,  the    lion    for    the    first 

time  such  after  the  Fall,  xi.  187- 

189. 
Uyaline.  the  glassy  sea,  vii.  619. 
l[ydras,  ii.  628. 

Hymen,  the  god  of  marriage,  xi. 
691  :  hymenasan  (nuptial  song), 

iv.  711. 

Ida,  Mount,  v.  382. 

Idolatry,  the  original  rise  of  it 
assigned,  i.  358-375  ;  after  the 
Flood,  xii.  115-120  ;  of  Israel,  i. 


4.32-437,  482-489 ;  of  Judah.  L 
456  ;  and  of  its  kings,  xii.  337. 

lUyria,  ix.  505. 

Imaus  (snowy  ridge),  iii.  431. 

Immortality,  lost  and  gained,  xi 
57-66. 

Incense,  in  Heaven,  vii.  599 ;  xi. 
18 ;  of  flowers  in  Paradise,  ix. 
192-197. 

India,  East  or  West,  v.  339 ;  In- 
dian mount,  i.  781 ;  streams,  iii. 
436;  Indians  (East),  ix.  1102; 
Ind,  ii.  2. 

Innocence  in  Paradise  before  the 
Fall,  V.  209,  379-385.  445-150. 

Invocation,  of  the  heavenly  :Muse, 
i.  1-16  ;  vii.  1-39  ;  of  the  celes- 
tial Light,  iii.  51-55. 

Ionian  gods,  of  Javan's  issue,  i 
508. 

Iris  (goddess  of  the  rainbow),  xi 
244. 

Israelites,  their  bondage  in_Egypt 
and  deliverance,  xii.  167-216  ; 
their  establishment  in  Canaan, 
xii.  258-269;  under  judges  and 
kings,  xii.  315-343  ;  their  cap- 
tivity, return,  and  after-dissen- 
sions, xii.  344-a58. 

Ithuriel  (and  Zephon,  guardian 
angels  of  Paradise),  iv.  788, 
868;  touches  Satan  with  his 
spear,  iv.  810. 

Jacob,  his  flight  and  dream,  iii. 

510-515 ;     his     meeting     with 

angels  in    Mahanaim,  xi.  213- 

215. 
Jesus,  son  of  Mary,  x.  183. 
John,  he  who  saw  the  Apocalypse, 

iii.  623;  iv.  1. 
Jordan,   true  limit  (of   Canaan) 

eastward,  xii.  145. 
Joseph  in  Egypt,  xii.  160-163. 
Joshua  (or  Jesus),  xii.  310. 
Jove  (Jupiter),  i.  512,514 ;  Libyan, 

iv.  277  ;  ix.  508  ;  Capitoline,  ix. 

508. 
Juno's  ir",  ix.  18. 
Justification  (by  faith),  xii.  296. 

Kings,  Memphian,  i.  694 ;  Gre- 
cian, iv.  212  ;  Abassin,  iv.  280  j 
Sinaean,  xi.  390  ;  of  Judah,  xii. 
329-336. 

Knowledge,  without  restraint, 
not  wisdom,  vii.  llS-130 ;  Tlil 


406 


INDEX. 


188-197 ;  xii.  557-560  ;  of  future 
events,  not  to  be  desired,  xi. 

770-776. 

Lament,  Eve's,  xi.  268-285, 
Lapland  witches,  ii.  665. 
Laviuia  disespoused,  ix.  17. 
Law,  given  to  the  Israelites,  xii. 

227-232,    287  ;    imperfect,    xii. 

289-300  ;  its  fulfilment,  xii.  393- 

404 ;  of  faith,  xii.  488-490  ;  of 

woman,  iv.  637  ;  in  Paradise,  ix. 

652-654. 
Lemnos,  the  ^gean  isle,  i.  746. 
Leo  (the  .sign),  x.  676. 
Lethe  (a  river  of  Hell),  ii.  582-586  ; 

its     waters    forbidden    to    the 

damned,  ii.  604-614. 
Levant  and  Ponent  wind.=!,  x.  704. 
Leucothea    (white-goddess),     xi. 

135. 
Leviathan  described,  i.  200-208  ; 

vii.  412-416. 
Liberty,  its  loss,  xii.  82-90. 
Libra  (the  sign),  iii.  558. 
Libyan  sands,  i.  355. 
Lichas,  ii.  545. 
Light,  address   to,  iii.  1-55  ;    its 

creation  described,  vii.  243-256. 
Life,  length  of,  secured,  xi.  630- 

537. 
Limbo,   or   Fools'    Paradise,    iii. 

495. 
Locusts,  the  plague  of,  i.  338-343 ; 

xii.  185. 
Love,  true,  described,  viii.  586- 

593. 
Lucifer  (Satan),  why  so  called,  x. 

425. 

Mseonides  (Homer),  iii.  35. 
Ma20tis,  the  pool,  ix.  78. 
Magellan,  x.  687. 
Malabar,  or  Decan,  ix.  1103. 
Mammon  (represented  as  a  fallen 

angel),   described,  i.    678-688  ; 

his  speech  in  council,  ii.  229- 

283. 
Man,  why   created,  iii.  678-680  ; 

his  creation  described,  vii.  524- 

635. 
Mary,  second  Eve,  v.  387  ;  x.  183. 
)Jedia,  iv.  171. 
Mediator,  the  Son  sent  as.  x.  58- 

62  ;  prefigured,  xii.  240-244. 
Medusa.     See  Gorgons. 
Megaera  (one  of  the  Furies),  x. 

560. 


Meliboean  (purple),  xi.  243. 

Memphiau  chivalry,  i.  307  ;  king%. 
i.  694. 

Mercy,  God's  brightest  attribute. 
iii.  132-134. 

Messiah  (the  Anointed),  pro- 
claimed, iii.  315-322 ;  v.  600-608 ; 
his  times  foretold,  xii.  243; 
his  birth,  xii.  360-3G9  ;  his  life, 
death,  and  resurrection,  xii! 
402-425  ;  his  ascension,  xii,  436, 
451 ;  his  coming  to  judgment, 
xii.  458^63  ;  iii.  523-338. 

Mexico,  the  seat  of  Monteznme, 
si.  4(J7. 

Michael  (the  archangel),  prince 
of  celestial  armies,  vi.  44  ;  hia 
combat  with  Satan,  vi.  29&- 
327  ;  .sent  to  expel  man  from 
Paradise,  xi.  99-125  ;  his  ap- 
pearance there,  xi.  238-248  ; 
leads  forth  Adam  and  Eve,  xii. 
636-640. 

Moloch  (represented  as  a  fallen 
angel),  and  his  worship,  des- 
cribed, i.  392^05  ;  ii.  43-50  ; 
his  speech  in  the  council,  ii.  51- 
105  ;  his  combat  with  Gabriel, 
vi.  354-362. 

Mombaza,  and  Melind,  xi.  399. 

Moon,  her  office,  iii.  726-732  ;  her 
light,  iv.  606-609  ;  her  creation 
described,  vii.  356,  375-382. 

Morning  in  Paradise,  v.  1-8 ;  ix. 
192-200. 

Morning  hymn,  v.  153-208 

Morocco,  i.  584  ;  and  Algiers  ani\ 
Tremisen,  xi.  404. 

Mosco  (seat  of  the  Russian  Ksar) 
xi.  395. 

Moses,  and  Aaron,  their  missioc 
to  Egypt,  xii.  170 ;  not  per. 
mitted  to  enter  Canaan,  xii. 
307-309. 

Mulciber  (Vulcan),  i.  738-746. 

Muse,  heavenly,  invoked,  i.  l-13j 
376  ;  vii.  1-39  ;  Muses  nine,  iii 
27  ;  vii.  6  ;  the  Muse  (Calliope), 
vii.  37. 

Nebo  (Mount),  i.  407. 

Neptune's  ire,  ix.  18. 

Niger  Hood,  xi.  402. 

Night  de.'^cribed,  v.  38-43;  aft«l 

the  Fall.  x.  840-848. 
Nile  (river  of  Egypt),  i.  3-13,  413 

iv.  283;  xU.  157-159. 


INDEX. 


407 


Nimrod,  his   tyranny  described, 

xii.  24-37,  63-60. 
Niphates'  top,  iii.  742. 
Nisroch  (one  of  tlie  rebel  angels), 

and  his  speech,  Ti.  447-468. 
Noah,  his  preaching,  xi.  719-727  ; 

his  descent  from  the  Ark,  xi. 

861-8ai. 
Noon  in  Paradise,  v.  300-304. 
Noruiubega,  x.  696. 
Norway  foam,  i.  203;  Norwegian 

hills,  i.  293. 
Notus  and  Afer  (w'uds),  x.  702. 
Nyseian  isle,  iv.  275. 

Ob,  the  riTer,  ix.  78. 

Obedience,  of  will  not  of  necessity, 

acceptable  to  God,  iii.  98-107 ; 

V.  531-540. 
(Echalia  (in  Thessaly),  ii.  542. 
(Eta  (Mount),  ii.  545. 
Old  age  described,  xi.  535-546. 
Oly m  plan  games  or  Pythian  fields, 

ii.  530. 
Ophion  (serpent),  x.  581. 
Ophiuchus    (or    Serpentarius,    a 

constellation),  ii.  7U9. 
Ophiusa,  the  isle  of  serpents,  x. 

528. 
Ops,  X.  584. 

Orcus  and  Ades,  ii.  964. 
Oread  or  Dryad,  ix.  387. 
Oreb  (Mount  Uoreb),  1.  7,  484; 

xi.  74. 
Orion  (constellation),  i.  305. 
Ormus,  ii.  2. 
Orontes  (river  of  Syria),  iv.  273  ; 

ix.  80. 
Orpheus,  the  Thracian  bard,  vii. 

33-33  ;  Orphean  lyre,  iii.  17. 
Osiris,  Isis,  Orus  (Egyptian  gods), 

i.  478. 
Oxus,  xi.  389. 

Padan-aram,  iii.  513. 

Palace  and  throne  of  Satan  in  Hell, 
i.  710-730  ;  x.  443-447. 

Pales,  ix.  393. 

Palatine,  coast  of,  i.  465. 

Pan,  iv.  266,  707. 

Pandemonium,  i.  756  ;  x.  424 

Pandora^  iv.  714-719. 

Paneas,  iii.  535. 

Paquin  (Pekin),  xi.  390. 

Paradise  (garden  of  E'ien),  de- 
scribed, iv.  131-159 ;  v.  291-297 ; 
Tiu.  303-308  ;  ix.  434-443  ;  seat 


of  it  destroyed  by  the  Flood,  zi 

829-835. 
Patriarchs,  their  story  related,  xil 

114-164  ;     patriarchal    govern' 

ment  described,  xii.  13-24. 
Pegasean  wing,  vii.  4. 
Pelorus,  i.  232. 
Persecution,  its  i-ise  in  the  church. 

and  its  elfects,  xii.  508-539 
Peter,  Saint,  iii.  484. 
Petsora,  x.  292. 
Pharaoh  (Busiris),  his  overthrow, 

i.  306-311 ;  his  realm,  i.  342 ;  xii. 

162. 
Philistean  Dalilah,  ix.  1061. 
Phlegethon  (a  river  of  llell),  ii. 

580. 
Phlegra,  i.  577. 
Plagues  of  Egypt  described,  xii. 

173-190. 
Pleiades,  vii.  374. 
Pomona,  Ix.  394 ;  Pomona's  arbor 

V.  378. 
Pontus,  V.  340  ;  ix.  77. 
Prayer,  its  efficacy,  xi.  143-148; 

unavailable  against  God's  ab- 
solute decrees,  xi.  307-314. 
Promised  Land.  iii.  531 ;  xii.  172. 
Prophets  (Hebrew),  xii.  243. 
Proserpine    (stolen    by   Dis),    iv. 

269-272  ;  Proserpina,  ix.  396. 
Proteus,  iii.  604. 
Punic  coast,  v.  340. 
Pygmies,  i.  575  ;  Pygmean  race,  i 

780. 
Python,  X.  531;  Pythian  vale,  x. 

530  ;  Pythian  fields,  ii.  530. 

Quiloa  (in  Africa),  xi.  399. 

Rabba,  i.  397. 

Rainbow,  its  first  appearance  after 
the  Flood,  xi.  864-v%7  ;  the  sign 
of  God's  covenant,  xi.  895-901. 

Raphael  (the  angel),  his  descent 
to  Paradise,  v.  247-292  ;  his  re- 
lation to  Adam  of  the  revolt  of 
Satan,  v.  563-913  and  Book 
vi.  ;  of  the  Creation,  Rook  vii; 
further  discourse,  Rook  viii ; 
advice  to  Adam  at  parting,  and 
ascent  to  Heaven,  viii.  630-653. 

Reason,  the  chief  faculty  of  the 
soul,  V.  102;  the  being  of  the 
soul,  V.  486-490  ;  not  wanting 
in  the  inferior  creaturas,  viii 
374;  made  right,  ix.  352-356; 


408 


INDEX. 


dwells  with  liberty,  xii.  83-85, 

97-101. 
Repentance,  an  effect  of  grace,  ill. 

185- rJO;    xi.   1-8,  14-47;    ac- 

ceptcil,  iii.  191-197  ;    of  Adam 

and  Eve,  x.  1097-1104. 
Reprobation,  state  of,  iii.  198-202. 
Reptiles  and  insects,  tlieir  crea- 
tion described,  vii.  475-498. 
Resurrection  of  Messiah,  xii.  420- 

423. 
Rhea  (mother  of  Jove),  1.   513; 

(stepd.ime  of  Bacchus),  iv.  279. 
Rhene  (Rhine),  1.  353. 
Rhodope,  vh.  35. 
Rimmon  (represented  as  one  of 

Satan's  foUowers),  i.  467. 
RoQie,  where  eloquence  flourished, 

ix.  671. 
Russian  foe,  x.  431 ;  Ksar,  xi.  394. 

Sabean  (5dors,  iv.  162. 

J?.t.vation  by  faith,  xii.  447-450. 

Simarchand,  xi.  389. 

Samoed  shore,  x.  696. 

Samos,  V.  265. 

Samson,  ix.  1059-1062. 

Sarra  (Tyre),  xi.  243. 

Satan  (prince  of  the  fallen  angels), 

why  .so  called,  i.  81 ;  ii.  629  ;  x. 

386  ;  described,  i.  193-196,  589- 

605;    on  the  Tree  of  Life,  iv. 

194-201 ;  at  the  ear  of  Eve,  iv. 

800. 
Satisfaction,  required  for  man,  iii. 

210-212  ;  offered,  iii.  236  ;  paid, 

xii.  415-419. 
Saturn  (father  of  Jove),  i.  512, 

519  ;  X.  583. 
Scriptures,    written  records,  xii. 

513. 
Scipio,  the  height  of  Rome,  ix. 

510. 
gcylla,  ii.  660. 
Seasons,  their  changes  an  effect  of 

the  Fall,  x.  649-678. 
Sechem  (Sichem),  xii.  136. 
Seleucia,  iv.  212. 
Senir,  xii.  146. 
Sennaar  (Shinar),  plain  of,  iii.  467  ; 

xii.  41. 
Seon's  realm,  i.  409. 
Serapis  (an  Egyptian  god),  i.  720. 
Berhonian  bog.  ii.  592. 
Bericana,  iii.  438. 
^rpent   found   and   entered    by 

Siitan,  ix.  180-190. 


Serraliona  (Sierra  Leone),  x.  70& 
Shield,  Satan's  described,  i.  284> 

291  ;  vi.  255. 
Sibma,  i.  410. 
Siloa's  brook,  i.  11. 
Sin  (daughter  of  Satan)  described^ 

ii.  650-659. 
Sinai  (Mount),  i.  7  ;  xii.  227. 
Sirocco  and  Libecchio  (winds),  x 

706. 
Sittim,  i.  413. 
Sodom,  i.  503  ;  x.  562. 
Sofiila,  thought  Ophir,  xi.  400. 
Solomon,  his  idolatry,  i.  401,  444- 

446  ;  builds  the  Temple,  xii.  332- 

334. 
Spartan  Twins  (the  sign  Gemini) 

X.  674. 
Spear,  Satan's  described,  i.  292- 

29r3 ;  IthuriePs.  iv.  810. 
Spirit  of  God  given,  to  the  Apos 

ties,   xii.   497-502 ;    to   aU    be 

lievers,  xii.  519. 
Standard,    Satan's    described,    i 

533-539  ;  heavenly  standards,  t 

588-594. 
Stars,  their  course,  iv.  661-664 ; 

part  of  the  fourth  day's  crea- 
tion, vii.  356-369  ;   their  dunce. 

V.  178,  620-627  ;  viii.  125. 
Styx  (a  river  of  Hell),  i.239  ;  ii. 

577  ;  iii.  14. 
Sun,  its  brightne.'^s,  iii.  591-597 ; 

apostrophized  by  Satan,  iv.  32- 

41 ;  its  creation  described,  vii. 

354-363. 
Susa.  X.  308. 
Sword,   of  Michael,   ii.   294  ;   vi. 

250,  320-325  ;  xi.  247  ;    at  th€ 

gate  of  Paradise,  xi.  118-122: 

xii.  592,  632-636. 
Sylvanus,  iv.  707. 

Tabernacle  described,  xii.  246- 
257. 

Tantalus,  ii.  614. 

Tarsus,  i.  200. 

Tartar,  iii.  432  ;  x.  431. 

Ta-tarus,  ii.  858  ;  vi.  54  ;  Tarta- 
rean sulphur,  ii.  69. 

Tauris,  x.  436. 

Taurus  (the  sign),  i.  769  ;  x.  673. 

Telassar,  iv.  214. 

Temirs  throne,  xi.  389. 

Temperance,  the  effect  of  it  long 
life,  xi.  530-535. 

Temple,  built  by  Solomon,  xii 


INDEX. 


409 


881 ;  destroyed,  xii.  340 ;  rebuilt 

xii.  348- a30. 
teneride,  iv.  987. 
remate  and  Tidore,  ii.  639. 
Thanimuz  (repie.<ented  as  one  of 

Satau's  followers),  i.  446-452. 
Thamyris,  iii.  3o. 
Thebes  (Grecian),  i.  57S  ;   Egyp- 
tian, V.  2<4. 
Themis  (goddess),  xi.  14. 
Thyestean  banquet,  x.  688. 
Tigris,  ix.  71. 
Tiresias   and    Phineus,    prophets 

old,  iii.  33. 
Titan,  i.  510  :  Titanian,  i.  198. 
Tobias,  Tobit's  Son,  iv.  170 ;   v. 

222. 
Tophet,  i.  404. 
Trebisond,  i.  584. 
Tree  of  Knowledge  and  Tree  of 

Life,    their   situation,   iv.   210- 

222 ;    the  former  described   by 

Satan,  ix.  575-580. 
Trinacriau  shore,  ii.  661. 
Triton,  river,  iv.  276. 
Troy  wall,  ix.  16. 
Trumpet  (heavenly),  vi.  202-204; 

xi.  73-77  ;  xii.  229. 
Turkish  crescent,  x.  434. 
Turnus,  ix.  17. 
Tuscan  artist  (Galileo),  1.  288. 
Typhoean  r;ige,  ii.  539. 
Typhon,  i.  199. 
Tyranny,  its  necessity  no  excuse, 

xu.  90-96. 

Dlysses  (Odysseus),  ii.  1019;  ix 

19. 
DrofChaldEca  vi.  130 


Urania  addressed,  vii.  1  .31. 
Uriel  (regent  of  the  sun)  des(  ribeJ, 

iii.  022-628  ;  his  oftice,  iii.  045- 

653 ;  descends  to  Paradise,  iv. 

555. 
Urini,  vi.  761. 

Uther's  son  (King  Arthur),  i.  580. 
Uzziel  (one  of  the  angelic  guard  in 

Paradise),  iv.  782. 

Valdarno,  i.  290. 
Vallonibrosa,  i.  303. 
Yertumnus,  ix.  395- 
Virtue  with  loss  of  freedom  de- 
generates, xi.  798-807. 

Wars,  the  first  described,  xi.  638- 
659. 

Wife,  her  happiness,  iv.  635-640  ; 
her  safety,  ix.  267-269 ;  her 
duty,  xi.  290-292. 

Wisdom,  the  prime,  viii.  192- 
194  ,  the  sum  of  it.  xii.  561-.576. 

Woman,  tru  loveliness  in,  ix. 
232-234  ;  her  artificial  accom- 
plishments, xi.  614-620. 

Xerxes,  his  bridge  over  the  llel 
lespont,  X.  307-311. 

Youth,  described  ns  assumed  by 
Satan,  iii.  6?.a-641. 

Zephon,  Lis  ;'aswer  to  Satan,  iv. 

834-846 
Zephvrus,  ».  xO;  Zephyr,  iv.  329; 

X.  705. 
Zophiel  (s  .'jujrub),  vi.  636