1.                 Now Morn, her rosy steps in the eastern clime

2.                 Advancing, sowed the earth with orient pearl,

3.                 When Adam waked, so customed; for his sleep

4.                 Was aery-light, from pure digestion bred,

5.                 And temperate vapours bland, which the only sound

6.                 Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora’s fan,

7.                 Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song

8.                 Of birds on every bough; so much the more

9.                 His wonder was to find unwakened Eve

10.             With tresses discomposed, and glowing cheek,

11.             As through unquiet rest: He, on his side

12.             Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love

13.             Hung over her enamoured, and beheld

14.             Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep,

15.             Shot forth peculiar graces; then with voice

16.             Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes,

17.             Her hand soft touching, whispered thus. Awake,

18.             My fairest, my espoused, my latest found,

19.             Heaven’s last best gift, my ever new delight!

20.             Awake: The morning shines, and the fresh field

21.             Calls us; we lose the prime, to mark how spring

22.             Our tender plants, how blows the citron grove,

23.             What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed,

24.             How nature paints her colours, how the bee

25.             Sits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet.

26.             Such whispering waked her, but with startled eye

27.             On Adam, whom embracing, thus she spake.

28.             O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose,

29.             My glory, my perfection! glad I see

30.             Thy face, and morn returned; for I this night

31.             (Such night till this I never passed) have dreamed,

32.             If dreamed, not, as I oft am wont, of thee,

33.             Works of day past, or morrow’s next design,

34.             But of offence and trouble, which my mind

35.             Knew never till this irksome night: Methought,

36.             Close at mine ear one called me forth to walk

37.             With gentle voice; I thought it thine: It said,

38.             Why sleepest thou, Eve? now is the pleasant time,

39.             The cool, the silent, save where silence yields

40.             To the night-warbling bird, that now awake

41.             Tunes sweetest his love-laboured song; now reigns

42.             Full-orbed the moon, and with more pleasing light

43.             Shadowy sets off the face of things; in vain,

44.             If none regard; Heaven wakes with all his eyes,

45.             Whom to behold but thee, Nature’s desire?

46.             In whose sight all things joy, with ravishment

47.             Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze.

48.             I rose as at thy call, but found thee not;

49.             To find thee I directed then my walk;

50.             And on, methought, alone I passed through ways

51.             That brought me on a sudden to the tree

52.             Of interdicted knowledge: fair it seemed,

53.             Much fairer to my fancy than by day:

54.             And, as I wondering looked, beside it stood

55.             One shaped and winged like one of those from Heaven

56.             By us oft seen; his dewy locks distilled

57.             Ambrosia; on that tree he also gazed;

58.             And ’O fair plant,’ said he, ’with fruit surcharged,

59.             Deigns none to ease thy load, and taste thy sweet,

60.             Nor God, nor Man? Is knowledge so despised?

61.             Or envy, or what reserve forbids to taste?

62.             Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold

63.             Longer thy offered good; why else set here?

64.             This said, he paused not, but with venturous arm

65.             He plucked, he tasted; me damp horrour chilled

66.             At such bold words vouched with a deed so bold:

67.             But he thus, overjoyed; ’O fruit divine,

68.             Sweet of thyself, but much more sweet thus cropt,

69.             Forbidden here, it seems, as only fit

70.             For Gods, yet able to make Gods of Men:

71.             And why not Gods of Men; since good, the more

72.             Communicated, more abundant grows,

73.             The author not impaired, but honoured more?

74.             Here, happy creature, fair angelick Eve!

75.             Partake thou also; happy though thou art,

76.             Happier thou mayest be, worthier canst not be:

77.             Taste this, and be henceforth among the Gods

78.             Thyself a Goddess, not to earth confined,

79.             But sometimes in the air, as we, sometimes

80.             Ascend to Heaven, by merit thine, and see

81.             What life the Gods live there, and such live thou!

82.             So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held,

83.             Even to my mouth of that same fruit held part

84.             Which he had plucked; the pleasant savoury smell

85.             So quickened appetite, that I, methought,

86.             Could not but taste. Forthwith up to the clouds

87.             With him I flew, and underneath beheld

88.             The earth outstretched immense, a prospect wide

89.             And various: Wondering at my flight and change

90.             To this high exaltation; suddenly

91.             My guide was gone, and I, methought, sunk down,

92.             And fell asleep; but O, how glad I waked

93.             To find this but a dream! Thus Eve her night

94.             Related, and thus Adam answered sad.

95.             Best image of myself, and dearer half,

96.             The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep

97.             Affects me equally; nor can I like

98.             This uncouth dream, of evil sprung, I fear;

99.             Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none,

100.        Created pure. But know that in the soul

101.        Are many lesser faculties, that serve

102.        Reason as chief; among these Fancy next

103.        Her office holds; of all external things

104.        Which the five watchful senses represent,

105.        She forms imaginations, aery shapes,

106.        Which Reason, joining or disjoining, frames

107.        All what we affirm or what deny, and call

108.        Our knowledge or opinion; then retires

109.        Into her private cell, when nature rests.

110.        Oft in her absence mimick Fancy wakes

111.        To imitate her; but, misjoining shapes,

112.        Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams;

113.        Ill matching words and deeds long past or late.

114.        Some such resemblances, methinks, I find

115.        Of our last evening’s talk, in this thy dream,

116.        But with addition strange; yet be not sad.

117.        Evil into the mind of God or Man

118.        May come and go, so unreproved, and leave

119.        No spot or blame behind: Which gives me hope

120.        That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream,

121.        Waking thou never will consent to do.

122.        Be not disheartened then, nor cloud those looks,

123.        That wont to be more cheerful and serene,

124.        Than when fair morning first smiles on the world;

125.        And let us to our fresh employments rise

126.        Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers

127.        That open now their choisest bosomed smells,

128.        Reserved from night, and kept for thee in store.

129.        So cheered he his fair spouse, and she was cheered;

130.        But silently a gentle tear let fall

131.        From either eye, and wiped them with her hair;

132.        Two other precious drops that ready stood,

133.        Each in their crystal sluice, he ere they fell

134.        Kissed, as the gracious signs of sweet remorse

135.        And pious awe, that feared to have offended.

136.        So all was cleared, and to the field they haste.

137.        But first, from under shady arborous roof

138.        Soon as they forth were come to open sight

139.        Of day-spring, and the sun, who, scarce up-risen,

140.        With wheels yet hovering o’er the ocean-brim,

141.        Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray,

142.        Discovering in wide landskip all the east

143.        Of Paradise and Eden’s happy plains,

144.        Lowly they bowed adoring, and began

145.        Their orisons, each morning duly paid

146.        In various style; for neither various style

147.        Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise

148.        Their Maker, in fit strains pronounced, or sung

149.        Unmeditated; such prompt eloquence

150.        Flowed from their lips, in prose or numerous verse,

151.        More tuneable than needed lute or harp

152.        To add more sweetness; and they thus began.

153.        These are thy glorious works, Parent of good,

154.        Almighty! Thine this universal frame,

155.        Thus wonderous fair; Thyself how wonderous then!

156.        Unspeakable, who sitst above these heavens

157.        To us invisible, or dimly seen

158.        In these thy lowest works; yet these declare

159.        Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine.

160.        Speak, ye who best can tell, ye sons of light,

161.        Angels; for ye behold him, and with songs

162.        And choral symphonies, day without night,

163.        Circle his throne rejoicing; ye in Heaven

164.        On Earth join all ye Creatures to extol

165.        Him first, him last, him midst, and without end.

166.        Fairest of stars, last in the train of night,

167.        If better thou belong not to the dawn,

168.        Sure pledge of day, that crownest the smiling morn

169.        With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere,

170.        While day arises, that sweet hour of prime.

171.        Thou Sun, of this great world both eye and soul,

172.        Acknowledge him thy greater; sound his praise

173.        In thy eternal course, both when thou climbest,

174.        And when high noon hast gained, and when thou fallest.

175.        Moon, that now meetest the orient sun, now flyest,

176.        With the fixed Stars, fixed in their orb that flies;

177.        And ye five other wandering Fires, that move

178.        In mystic dance not without song, resound

179.        His praise, who out of darkness called up light.

180.        Air, and ye Elements, the eldest birth

181.        Of Nature’s womb, that in quaternion run

182.        Perpetual circle, multiform; and mix

183.        And nourish all things; let your ceaseless change

184.        Vary to our great Maker still new praise.

185.        Ye Mists and Exhalations, that now rise

186.        From hill or steaming lake, dusky or gray,

187.        Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold,

188.        In honour to the world’s great Author rise;

189.        Whether to deck with clouds the uncoloured sky,

190.        Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers,

191.        Rising or falling still advance his praise.

192.        His praise, ye Winds, that from four quarters blow,

193.        Breathe soft or loud; and, wave your tops, ye Pines,

194.        With every plant, in sign of worship wave.

195.        Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow,

196.        Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise.

197.        Join voices, all ye living Souls: Ye Birds,

198.        That singing up to Heaven-gate ascend,

199.        Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise.

200.        Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk

201.        The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep;

202.        Witness if I be silent, morn or even,

203.        To hill, or valley, fountain, or fresh shade,

204.        Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise.

205.        Hail, universal Lord, be bounteous still

206.        To give us only good; and if the night

207.        Have gathered aught of evil, or concealed,

208.        Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark!

209.        So prayed they innocent, and to their thoughts

210.        Firm peace recovered soon, and wonted calm.

211.        On to their morning’s rural work they haste,

212.        Among sweet dews and flowers; where any row

213.        Of fruit-trees over-woody reached too far

214.        Their pampered boughs, and needed hands to check

215.        Fruitless embraces: or they led the vine

216.        To wed her elm; she, spoused, about him twines

217.        Her marriageable arms, and with him brings

218.        Her dower, the adopted clusters, to adorn

219.        His barren leaves. Them thus employed beheld

220.        With pity Heaven’s high King, and to him called

221.        Raphael, the sociable Spirit, that deigned

222.        To travel with Tobias, and secured

223.        His marriage with the seventimes-wedded maid.

224.        Raphael, said he, thou hearest what stir on Earth

225.        Satan, from Hell ’scaped through the darksome gulf,

226.        Hath raised in Paradise; and how disturbed

227.        This night the human pair; how he designs

228.        In them at once to ruin all mankind.

229.        Go therefore, half this day as friend with friend

230.        Converse with Adam, in what bower or shade

231.        Thou findest him from the heat of noon retired,

232.        To respite his day-labour with repast,

233.        Or with repose; and such discourse bring on,

234.        As may advise him of his happy state,

235.        Happiness in his power left free to will,

236.        Left to his own free will, his will though free,

237.        Yet mutable; whence warn him to beware

238.        He swerve not, too secure: Tell him withal

239.        His danger, and from whom; what enemy,

240.        Late fallen himself from Heaven, is plotting now

241.        The fall of others from like state of bliss;

242.        By violence? no, for that shall be withstood;

243.        But by deceit and lies: This let him know,

244.        Lest wilfully transgressing, he pretend

245.        Surprisal, unadmonished, unforewarned.

246.        So spake the Eternal Father, and fulfilled

247.        All justice: Nor delayed the winged Saint

248.        After his charge received; but from among

249.        Thousand celestial Ardours, where he stood

250.        Veiled with his gorgeous wings, up springing light,

251.        Flew through the midst of Heaven; the angelick quires,

252.        On each hand parting, to his speed gave way

253.        Through all the empyreal road; till, at the gate

254.        Of Heaven arrived, the gate self-opened wide

255.        On golden hinges turning, as by work

256.        Divine the sovran Architect had framed.

257.        From hence no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight,

258.        Star interposed, however small he sees,

259.        Not unconformed to other shining globes,

260.        Earth, and the garden of God, with cedars crowned

261.        Above all hills. As when by night the glass

262.        Of Galileo, less assured, observes

263.        Imagined lands and regions in the moon:

264.        Or pilot, from amidst the Cyclades

265.        Delos or Samos first appearing, kens

266.        A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight

267.        He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky

268.        Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing

269.        Now on the polar winds, then with quick fan

270.        Winnows the buxom air; till, within soar

271.        Of towering eagles, to all the fowls he seems

272.        A phoenix, gazed by all as that sole bird,

273.        When, to enshrine his reliques in the Sun’s

274.        Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies.

275.        At once on the eastern cliff of Paradise

276.        He lights, and to his proper shape returns

277.        A Seraph winged: Six wings he wore, to shade

278.        His lineaments divine; the pair that clad

279.        Each shoulder broad, came mantling o’er his breast

280.        With regal ornament; the middle pair

281.        Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round

282.        Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold

283.        And colours dipt in Heaven; the third his feet

284.        Shadowed from either heel with feathered mail,

285.        Sky-tinctured grain. Like Maia’s son he stood,

286.        And shook his plumes, that heavenly fragrance filled

287.        The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands

288.        Of Angels under watch; and to his state,

289.        And to his message high, in honour rise;

290.        For on some message high they guessed him bound.

291.        Their glittering tents he passed, and now is come

292.        Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh,

293.        And flowering odours, cassia, nard, and balm;

294.        A wilderness of sweets; for Nature here

295.        Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will

296.        Her virgin fancies pouring forth more sweet,

297.        Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss.

298.        Him through the spicy forest onward come

299.        Adam discerned, as in the door he sat

300.        Of his cool bower, while now the mounted sun

301.        Shot down direct his fervid rays to warm

302.        Earth’s inmost womb, more warmth than Adam needs:

303.        And Eve within, due at her hour prepared

304.        For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to please

305.        True appetite, and not disrelish thirst

306.        Of nectarous draughts between, from milky stream,

307.        Berry or grape: To whom thus Adam called.

308.        Haste hither, Eve, and worth thy sight behold

309.        Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape

310.        Comes this way moving; seems another morn

311.        Risen on mid-noon; some great behest from Heaven

312.        To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe

313.        This day to be our guest. But go with speed,

314.        And, what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour

315.        Abundance, fit to honour and receive

316.        Our heavenly stranger: Well we may afford

317.        Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow

318.        From large bestowed, where Nature multiplies

319.        Her fertile growth, and by disburthening grows

320.        More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare.

321.        To whom thus Eve. Adam, earth’s hallowed mould,

322.        Of God inspired! small store will serve, where store,

323.        All seasons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk;

324.        Save what by frugal storing firmness gains

325.        To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes:

326.        But I will haste, and from each bough and brake,

327.        Each plant and juciest gourd, will pluck such choice

328.        To entertain our Angel-guest, as he

329.        Beholding shall confess, that here on Earth

330.        God hath dispensed his bounties as in Heaven.

331.        So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste

332.        She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent

333.        What choice to choose for delicacy best,

334.        What order, so contrived as not to mix

335.        Tastes, not well joined, inelegant, but bring

336.        Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change;

337.        Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk

338.        Whatever Earth, all-bearing mother, yields

339.        In India East or West, or middle shore

340.        In Pontus or the Punick coast, or where

341.        Alcinous reigned, fruit of all kinds, in coat

342.        Rough, or smooth rind, or bearded husk, or shell,

343.        She gathers, tribute large, and on the board

344.        Heaps with unsparing hand; for drink the grape

345.        She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths

346.        From many a berry, and from sweet kernels pressed

347.        She tempers dulcet creams; nor these to hold

348.        Wants her fit vessels pure; then strows the ground

349.        With rose and odours from the shrub unfumed.

350.        Mean while our primitive great sire, to meet

351.        His God-like guest, walks forth, without more train

352.        Accompanied than with his own complete

353.        Perfections; in himself was all his state,

354.        More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits

355.        On princes, when their rich retinue long

356.        Of horses led, and grooms besmeared with gold,

357.        Dazzles the croud, and sets them all agape.

358.        Nearer his presence Adam, though not awed,

359.        Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek,

360.        As to a superiour nature bowing low,

361.        Thus said. Native of Heaven, for other place

362.        None can than Heaven such glorious shape contain;

363.        Since, by descending from the thrones above,

364.        Those happy places thou hast deigned a while

365.        To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us

366.        Two only, who yet by sovran gift possess

367.        This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower

368.        To rest; and what the garden choicest bears

369.        To sit and taste, till this meridian heat

370.        Be over, and the sun more cool decline.

371.        Whom thus the angelick Virtue answered mild.

372.        Adam, I therefore came; nor art thou such

373.        Created, or such place hast here to dwell,

374.        As may not oft invite, though Spirits of Heaven,

375.        To visit thee; lead on then where thy bower

376.        O’ershades; for these mid-hours, till evening rise,

377.        I have at will. So to the sylvan lodge

378.        They came, that like Pomona’s arbour smiled,

379.        With flowerets decked, and fragrant smells; but Eve,

380.        Undecked save with herself, more lovely fair

381.        Than Wood-Nymph, or the fairest Goddess feigned

382.        Of three that in mount Ida naked strove,

383.        Stood to entertain her guest from Heaven; no veil

384.        She needed, virtue-proof; no thought infirm

385.        Altered her cheek. On whom the Angel Hail

386.        Bestowed, the holy salutation used

387.        Long after to blest Mary, second Eve.

388.        Hail, Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful womb

389.        Shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons,

390.        Than with these various fruits the trees of God

391.        Have heaped this table!--Raised of grassy turf

392.        Their table was, and mossy seats had round,

393.        And on her ample square from side to side

394.        All autumn piled, though spring and autumn here

395.        Danced hand in hand. A while discourse they hold;

396.        No fear lest dinner cool; when thus began

397.        Our author. Heavenly stranger, please to taste

398.        These bounties, which our Nourisher, from whom

399.        All perfect good, unmeasured out, descends,

400.        To us for food and for delight hath caused

401.        The earth to yield; unsavoury food perhaps

402.        To spiritual natures; only this I know,

403.        That one celestial Father gives to all.

404.        To whom the Angel. Therefore what he gives

405.        (Whose praise be ever sung) to Man in part

406.        Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found

407.        No ingrateful food: And food alike those pure

408.        Intelligential substances require,

409.        As doth your rational; and both contain

410.        Within them every lower faculty

411.        Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste,

412.        Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate,

413.        And corporeal to incorporeal turn.

414.        For know, whatever was created, needs

415.        To be sustained and fed: Of elements

416.        The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea,

417.        Earth and the sea feed air, the air those fires

418.        Ethereal, and as lowest first the moon;

419.        Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurged

420.        Vapours not yet into her substance turned.

421.        Nor doth the moon no nourishment exhale

422.        From her moist continent to higher orbs.

423.        The sun that light imparts to all, receives

424.        From all his alimental recompence

425.        In humid exhalations, and at even

426.        Sups with the ocean. Though in Heaven the trees

427.        Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines

428.        Yield nectar; though from off the boughs each morn

429.        We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground

430.        Covered with pearly grain: Yet God hath here

431.        Varied his bounty so with new delights,

432.        As may compare with Heaven; and to taste

433.        Think not I shall be nice. So down they sat,

434.        And to their viands fell; nor seemingly

435.        The Angel, nor in mist, the common gloss

436.        Of Theologians; but with keen dispatch

437.        Of real hunger, and concoctive heat

438.        To transubstantiate: What redounds, transpires

439.        Through Spirits with ease; nor wonder;if by fire

440.        Of sooty coal the empirick alchemist

441.        Can turn, or holds it possible to turn,

442.        Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold,

443.        As from the mine. Mean while at table Eve

444.        Ministered naked, and their flowing cups

445.        With pleasant liquours crowned: O innocence

446.        Deserving Paradise! if ever, then,

447.        Then had the sons of God excuse to have been

448.        Enamoured at that sight; but in those hearts

449.        Love unlibidinous reigned, nor jealousy

450.        Was understood, the injured lover’s hell.

451.        Thus when with meats and drinks they had sufficed,

452.        Not burdened nature, sudden mind arose

453.        In Adam, not to let the occasion pass

454.        Given him by this great conference to know

455.        Of things above his world, and of their being

456.        Who dwell in Heaven, whose excellence he saw

457.        Transcend his own so far; whose radiant forms,

458.        Divine effulgence, whose high power, so far

459.        Exceeded human; and his wary speech

460.        Thus to the empyreal minister he framed.

461.        Inhabitant with God, now know I well

462.        Thy favour, in this honour done to Man;

463.        Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsafed

464.        To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste,

465.        Food not of Angels, yet accepted so,

466.        As that more willingly thou couldst not seem

467.        At Heaven’s high feasts to have fed: yet what compare

468.        To whom the winged Hierarch replied.

469.        O Adam, One Almighty is, from whom

470.        All things proceed, and up to him return,

471.        If not depraved from good, created all

472.        Such to perfection, one first matter all,

473.        Endued with various forms, various degrees

474.        Of substance, and, in things that live, of life;

475.        But more refined, more spiritous, and pure,

476.        As nearer to him placed, or nearer tending

477.        Each in their several active spheres assigned,

478.        Till body up to spirit work, in bounds

479.        Proportioned to each kind. So from the root

480.        Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves

481.        More aery, last the bright consummate flower

482.        Spirits odorous breathes: flowers and their fruit,

483.        Man’s nourishment, by gradual scale sublimed,

484.        To vital spirits aspire, to animal,

485.        To intellectual; give both life and sense,

486.        Fancy and understanding; whence the soul

487.        Reason receives, and reason is her being,

488.        Discursive, or intuitive; discourse

489.        Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours,

490.        Differing but in degree, of kind the same.

491.        Wonder not then, what God for you saw good

492.        If I refuse not, but convert, as you

493.        To proper substance. Time may come, when Men

494.        With Angels may participate, and find

495.        No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare;

496.        And from these corporal nutriments perhaps

497.        Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit,

498.        Improved by tract of time, and, winged, ascend

499.        Ethereal, as we; or may, at choice,

500.        Here or in heavenly Paradises dwell;

501.        If ye be found obedient, and retain

502.        Unalterably firm his love entire,

503.        Whose progeny you are. Mean while enjoy

504.        Your fill what happiness this happy state

505.        Can comprehend, incapable of more.

506.        To whom the patriarch of mankind replied.

507.        O favourable Spirit, propitious guest,

508.        Well hast thou taught the way that might direct

509.        Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set

510.        From center to circumference; whereon,

511.        In contemplation of created things,

512.        By steps we may ascend to God. But say,

513.        What meant that caution joined, If ye be found

514.        Obedient? Can we want obedience then

515.        To him, or possibly his love desert,

516.        Who formed us from the dust and placed us here

517.        Full to the utmost measure of what bliss

518.        Human desires can seek or apprehend?

519.        To whom the Angel. Son of Heaven and Earth,

520.        Attend! That thou art happy, owe to God;

521.        That thou continuest such, owe to thyself,

522.        That is, to thy obedience; therein stand.

523.        This was that caution given thee; be advised.

524.        God made thee perfect, not immutable;

525.        And good he made thee, but to persevere

526.        He left it in thy power; ordained thy will

527.        By nature free, not over-ruled by fate

528.        Inextricable, or strict necessity:

529.        Our voluntary service he requires,

530.        Not our necessitated; such with him

531.        Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how

532.        Can hearts, not free, be tried whether they serve

533.        Willing or no, who will but what they must

534.        By destiny, and can no other choose?

535.        Myself, and all the angelick host, that stand

536.        In sight of God, enthroned, our happy state

537.        Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;

538.        On other surety none: Freely we serve,

539.        Because we freely love, as in our will

540.        To love or not; in this we stand or fall:

541.        And some are fallen, to disobedience fallen,

542.        And so from Heaven to deepest Hell; O fall

543.        From what high state of bliss, into what woe!

544.        To whom our great progenitor. Thy words

545.        Attentive, and with more delighted ear,

546.        Divine instructer, I have heard, than when

547.        Cherubic songs by night from neighbouring hills

548.        Aereal music send: Nor knew I not

549.        To be both will and deed created free;

550.        Yet that we never shall forget to love

551.        Our Maker, and obey him whose command

552.        Single is yet so just, my constant thoughts

553.        Assured me, and still assure: Though what thou tellest

554.        Hath passed in Heaven, some doubt within me move,

555.        But more desire to hear, if thou consent,

556.        The full relation, which must needs be strange,

557.        Worthy of sacred silence to be heard;

558.        And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun

559.        Hath finished half his journey, and scarce begins

560.        His other half in the great zone of Heaven.

561.        Thus Adam made request; and Raphael,

562.        After short pause assenting, thus began.

563.        High matter thou enjoinest me, O prime of men,

564.        Sad task and hard: For how shall I relate

565.        To human sense the invisible exploits

566.        Of warring Spirits? how, without remorse,

567.        The ruin of so many glorious once

568.        And perfect while they stood? how last unfold

569.        The secrets of another world, perhaps

570.        Not lawful to reveal? yet for thy good

571.        This is dispensed; and what surmounts the reach

572.        Of human sense, I shall delineate so,

573.        By likening spiritual to corporal forms,

574.        As may express them best; though what if Earth

575.        Be but a shadow of Heaven, and things therein

576.        Each to other like, more than on earth is thought?

577.        As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild

578.        Reigned where these Heavens now roll, where Earth now rests

579.        Upon her center poised; when on a day

580.        (For time, though in eternity, applied

581.        To motion, measures all things durable

582.        By present, past, and future,) on such day

583.        As Heaven’s great year brings forth, the empyreal host

584.        Of Angels by imperial summons called,

585.        Innumerable before the Almighty’s throne

586.        Forthwith, from all the ends of Heaven, appeared

587.        Under their Hierarchs in orders bright:

588.        Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanced,

589.        Standards and gonfalons ’twixt van and rear

590.        Stream in the air, and for distinction serve

591.        Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees;

592.        Or in their glittering tissues bear imblazed

593.        Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love

594.        Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs

595.        Of circuit inexpressible they stood,

596.        Orb within orb, the Father Infinite,

597.        By whom in bliss imbosomed sat the Son,

598.        Amidst as from a flaming mount, whose top

599.        Brightness had made invisible, thus spake.

600.        Hear, all ye Angels, progeny of light,

601.        Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers;

602.        Hear my decree, which unrevoked shall stand.

603.        This day I have begot whom I declare

604.        My only Son, and on this holy hill

605.        Him have anointed, whom ye now behold

606.        At my right hand; your head I him appoint;

607.        And by myself have sworn, to him shall bow

608.        All knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord:

609.        Under his great vice-gerent reign abide

610.        United, as one individual soul,

611.        For ever happy: Him who disobeys,

612.        Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day,

613.        Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls

614.        Into utter darkness, deep ingulfed, his place

615.        Ordained without redemption, without end.

616.        So spake the Omnipotent, and with his words

617.        All seemed well pleased; all seemed, but were not all.

618.        That day, as other solemn days, they spent

619.        In song and dance about the sacred hill;

620.        Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere

621.        Of planets, and of fixed, in all her wheels

622.        Resembles nearest, mazes intricate,

623.        Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular

624.        Then most, when most irregular they seem;

625.        And in their motions harmony divine

626.        So smooths her charming tones, that God’s own ear

627.        Listens delighted. Evening now approached,

628.        (For we have also our evening and our morn,

629.        We ours for change delectable, not need;)

630.        Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn

631.        Desirous; all in circles as they stood,

632.        Tables are set, and on a sudden piled

633.        With Angels food, and rubied nectar flows

634.        In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold,

635.        Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heaven.

636.        On flowers reposed, and with fresh flowerets crowned,

637.        They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet

638.        Quaff immortality and joy, secure

639.        Of surfeit, where full measure only bounds

640.        Excess, before the all-bounteous King, who showered

641.        With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy.

642.        Now when ambrosial night with clouds exhaled

643.        From that high mount of God, whence light and shade

644.        Spring both, the face of brightest Heaven had changed

645.        To grateful twilight, (for night comes not there

646.        In darker veil,) and roseat dews disposed

647.        All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest;

648.        Wide over all the plain, and wider far

649.        Than all this globous earth in plain outspread,

650.        (Such are the courts of God) the angelick throng,

651.        Dispersed in bands and files, their camp extend

652.        By living streams among the trees of life,

653.        Pavilions numberless, and sudden reared,

654.        Celestial tabernacles, where they slept

655.        Fanned with cool winds; save those, who, in their course,

656.        Melodious hymns about the sovran throne

657.        Alternate all night long: but not so waked

658.        Satan; so call him now, his former name

659.        Is heard no more in Heaven; he of the first,

660.        If not the first Arch-Angel, great in power,

661.        In favour and pre-eminence, yet fraught

662.        With envy against the Son of God, that day

663.        Honoured by his great Father, and proclaimed

664.        Messiah King anointed, could not bear

665.        Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaired.

666.        Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain,

667.        Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour

668.        Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolved

669.        With all his legions to dislodge, and leave

670.        Unworshipt, unobeyed, the throne supreme,

671.        Contemptuous; and his next subordinate

672.        Awakening, thus to him in secret spake.

673.        Sleepest thou, Companion dear? What sleep can close

674.        Thy eye-lids? and rememberest what decree

675.        Of yesterday, so late hath passed the lips

676.        Of Heaven’s Almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts

677.        Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont to impart;

678.        Both waking we were one; how then can now

679.        Thy sleep dissent? New laws thou seest imposed;

680.        New laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise

681.        In us who serve, new counsels to debate

682.        What doubtful may ensue: More in this place

683.        To utter is not safe. Assemble thou

684.        Of all those myriads which we lead the chief;

685.        Tell them, that by command, ere yet dim night

686.        Her shadowy cloud withdraws, I am to haste,

687.        And all who under me their banners wave,

688.        Homeward, with flying march, where we possess

689.        The quarters of the north; there to prepare

690.        Fit entertainment to receive our King,

691.        The great Messiah, and his new commands,

692.        Who speedily through all the hierarchies

693.        Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws.

694.        So spake the false Arch-Angel, and infused

695.        Bad influence into the unwary breast

696.        Of his associate: He together calls,

697.        Or several one by one, the regent Powers,

698.        Under him Regent; tells, as he was taught,

699.        That the Most High commanding, now ere night,

700.        Now ere dim night had disincumbered Heaven,

701.        The great hierarchal standard was to move;

702.        Tells the suggested cause, and casts between

703.        Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound

704.        Or taint integrity: But all obeyed

705.        The wonted signal, and superiour voice

706.        Of their great Potentate; for great indeed

707.        His name, and high was his degree in Heaven;

708.        His countenance, as the morning-star that guides

709.        The starry flock, allured them, and with lies

710.        Drew after him the third part of Heaven’s host.

711.        Mean while the Eternal eye, whose sight discerns

712.        Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy mount,

713.        And from within the golden lamps that burn

714.        Nightly before him, saw without their light

715.        Rebellion rising; saw in whom, how spread

716.        Among the sons of morn, what multitudes

717.        Were banded to oppose his high decree;

718.        And, smiling, to his only Son thus said.

719.        Son, thou in whom my glory I behold

720.        In full resplendence, Heir of all my might,

721.        Nearly it now concerns us to be sure

722.        Of our Omnipotence, and with what arms

723.        We mean to hold what anciently we claim

724.        Of deity or empire: Such a foe

725.        Is rising, who intends to erect his throne

726.        Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north;

727.        Nor so content, hath in his thought to try

728.        In battle, what our power is, or our right.

729.        Let us advise, and to this hazard draw

730.        With speed what force is left, and all employ

731.        In our defence; lest unawares we lose

732.        This our high place, our sanctuary, our hill.

733.        To whom the Son with calm aspect and clear,

734.        Lightning divine, ineffable, serene,

735.        Made answer. Mighty Father, thou thy foes

736.        Justly hast in derision, and, secure,

737.        Laughest at their vain designs and tumults vain,

738.        Matter to me of glory, whom their hate

739.        Illustrates, when they see all regal power

740.        Given me to quell their pride, and in event

741.        Know whether I be dextrous to subdue

742.        Thy rebels, or be found the worst in Heaven.

743.        So spake the Son; but Satan, with his Powers,

744.        Far was advanced on winged speed; an host

745.        Innumerable as the stars of night,

746.        Or stars of morning, dew-drops, which the sun

747.        Impearls on every leaf and every flower.

748.        Regions they passed, the mighty regencies

749.        Of Seraphim, and Potentates, and Thrones,

750.        In their triple degrees; regions to which

751.        All thy dominion, Adam, is no more

752.        Than what this garden is to all the earth,

753.        And all the sea, from one entire globose

754.        Stretched into longitude; which having passed,

755.        At length into the limits of the north

756.        They came; and Satan to his royal seat

757.        High on a hill, far blazing, as a mount

758.        Raised on a mount, with pyramids and towers

759.        From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold;

760.        The palace of great Lucifer, (so call

761.        That structure in the dialect of men

762.        Interpreted,) which not long after, he

763.        Affecting all equality with God,

764.        In imitation of that mount whereon

765.        Messiah was declared in sight of Heaven,

766.        The Mountain of the Congregation called;

767.        For thither he assembled all his train,

768.        Pretending so commanded to consult

769.        About the great reception of their King,

770.        Thither to come, and with calumnious art

771.        Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears.

772.        Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers;

773.        If these magnific titles yet remain

774.        Not merely titular, since by decree

775.        Another now hath to himself engrossed

776.        All power, and us eclipsed under the name

777.        Of King anointed, for whom all this haste

778.        Of midnight-march, and hurried meeting here,

779.        This only to consult how we may best,

780.        With what may be devised of honours new,

781.        Receive him coming to receive from us

782.        Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile!

783.        Too much to one! but double how endured,

784.        To one, and to his image now proclaimed?

785.        But what if better counsels might erect

786.        Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke?

787.        Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend

788.        The supple knee? Ye will not, if I trust

789.        To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves

790.        Natives and sons of Heaven possessed before

791.        By none; and if not equal all, yet free,

792.        Equally free; for orders and degrees

793.        Jar not with liberty, but well consist.

794.        Who can in reason then, or right, assume

795.        Monarchy over such as live by right

796.        His equals, if in power and splendour less,

797.        In freedom equal? or can introduce

798.        Law and edict on us, who without law

799.        Err not? much less for this to be our Lord,

800.        And look for adoration, to the abuse

801.        Of those imperial titles, which assert

802.        Our being ordained to govern, not to serve.

803.        Thus far his bold discourse without controul

804.        Had audience; when among the Seraphim

805.        Abdiel than whom none with more zeal ador’d

806.        The Deity, and divine commands obeyed,

807.        Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe

808.        The current of his fury thus opposed.

809.        O argument blasphemous, false, and proud!

810.        Words which no ear ever to hear in Heaven

811.        Expected, least of all from thee, Ingrate,

812.        In place thyself so high above thy peers.

813.        Canst thou with impious obloquy condemn

814.        The just decree of God, pronounced and sworn,

815.        That to his only Son, by right endued

816.        With regal scepter, every soul in Heaven

817.        Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due

818.        Confess him rightful King? unjust, thou sayest,

819.        Flatly unjust, to bind with laws the free,

820.        And equal over equals to let reign,

821.        One over all with unsucceeded power.

822.        Shalt thou give law to God? shalt thou dispute

823.        With him the points of liberty, who made

824.        Thee what thou art, and formed the Powers of Heaven

825.        Such as he pleased, and circumscribed their being?

826.        Yet, by experience taught, we know how good,

827.        And of our good and of our dignity

828.        How provident he is; how far from thought

829.        To make us less, bent rather to exalt

830.        Our happy state, under one head more near

831.        United. But to grant it thee unjust,

832.        That equal over equals monarch reign:

833.        Thyself, though great and glorious, dost thou count,

834.        Or all angelick nature joined in one,

835.        Equal to him begotten Son? by whom,

836.        As by his Word, the Mighty Father made

837.        All things, even thee; and all the Spirits of Heaven

838.        By him created in their bright degrees,

839.        Crowned them with glory, and to their glory named

840.        Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,

841.        Essential Powers; nor by his reign obscured,

842.        But more illustrious made; since he the head

843.        One of our number thus reduced becomes;

844.        His laws our laws; all honour to him done

845.        Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage,

846.        And tempt not these; but hasten to appease

847.        The incensed Father, and the incensed Son,

848.        While pardon may be found in time besought.

849.        So spake the fervent Angel; but his zeal

850.        None seconded, as out of season judged,

851.        Or singular and rash: Whereat rejoiced

852.        The Apostate, and, more haughty, thus replied.

853.        That we were formed then sayest thou? and the work

854.        Of secondary hands, by task transferred

855.        From Father to his Son? strange point and new!

856.        Doctrine which we would know whence learned: who saw

857.        When this creation was? rememberest thou

858.        Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?

859.        We know no time when we were not as now;

860.        Know none before us, self-begot, self-raised

861.        By our own quickening power, when fatal course

862.        Had circled his full orb, the birth mature

863.        Of this our native Heaven, ethereal sons.

864.        Our puissance is our own; our own right hand

865.        Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try

866.        Who is our equal: Then thou shalt behold

867.        Whether by supplication we intend

868.        Address, and to begirt the almighty throne

869.        Beseeching or besieging. This report,

870.        These tidings carry to the anointed King;

871.        And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.

872.        He said; and, as the sound of waters deep,

873.        Hoarse murmur echoed to his words applause

874.        Through the infinite host; nor less for that

875.        The flaming Seraph fearless, though alone

876.        Encompassed round with foes, thus answered bold.

877.        O alienate from God, O Spirit accursed,

878.        Forsaken of all good! I see thy fall

879.        Determined, and thy hapless crew involved

880.        In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread

881.        Both of thy crime and punishment: Henceforth

882.        No more be troubled how to quit the yoke

883.        Of God’s Messiah; those indulgent laws

884.        Will not be now vouchsafed; other decrees

885.        Against thee are gone forth without recall;

886.        That golden scepter, which thou didst reject,

887.        Is now an iron rod to bruise and break

888.        Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise;

889.        Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly

890.        These wicked tents devoted, lest the wrath

891.        Impendent, raging into sudden flame,

892.        Distinguish not: For soon expect to feel

893.        His thunder on thy head, devouring fire.

894.        Then who created thee lamenting learn,

895.        When who can uncreate thee thou shalt know.

896.        So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found

897.        Among the faithless, faithful only he;

898.        Among innumerable false, unmoved,

899.        Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified,

900.        His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;

901.        Nor number, nor example, with him wrought

902.        To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind,

903.        Though single. From amidst them forth he passed,

904.        Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained

905.        Superiour, nor of violence feared aught;

906.        And, with retorted scorn, his back he turned

907.        On those proud towers to swift destruction doomed.

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