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Paradise Lost in Plain English
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Paradise Lost

~ BOOK X ~

  1. Meanwhile the hainous and despightfull act
  2. Of Satan done in Paradise, and how
  3. Hee in the Serpent, had perverted Eve,
  4. Her Husband shee, to taste the fatall fruit,
  5. Was known in Heav'n; for what can scape the Eye
  6. Of God All-seeing, or deceave his Heart
  7. Omniscient, who in all things wise and just,
  8. Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the minde
  9. Of Man, with strength entire, and free will arm'd,
  10. Complete to have discover'd and repulst
  11. Whatever wiles of Foe or seeming Friend.
  12. For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd
  13. The high Injunction not to taste that Fruit,
  14. Whoever tempted; which they not obeying,
  15. Incurr'd, what could they less, the penaltie,
  16. And manifold in sin, deserv'd to fall.
  17. Up into Heav'n from Paradise in haste
  18. Th' Angelic Guards ascended, mute and sad
  19. For Man, for of his state by this they knew,
  20. Much wondring how the suttle Fiend had stoln
  21. Entrance unseen. Soon as th' unwelcome news
  22. From Earth arriv'd at Heaven Gate, displeas'd
  23. All were who heard, dim sadness did not spare
  24. That time Celestial visages, yet mixt
  25. With pitie, violated not thir bliss.
  26. About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes
  27. Th' ethereal People ran, to hear and know
  28. How all befell: they towards the Throne Supream
  29. Accountable made haste to make appear
  30. With righteous plea, thir utmost vigilance,
  31. And easily approv'd; when the most High
  32. Eternal Father from his secret Cloud,
  33. Amidst in Thunder utter'd thus his voice.
  34. Assembl'd Angels, and ye Powers return'd
  35. From unsuccessful charge, be not dismaid,
  36. Nor troubl'd at these tidings from the Earth,
  37. Which your sincerest care could not prevent,
  38. Foretold so lately what would come to pass,
  39. When first this Tempter cross'd the Gulf from Hell.
  40. I told ye then he should prevail and speed
  41. On his bad Errand, Man should be seduc't
  42. And flatter'd out of all, believing lies
  43. Against his Maker; no Decree of mine
  44. Concurring to necessitate his Fall,
  45. Or touch with lightest moment of impulse
  46. His free Will, to her own inclining left
  47. In eevn scale. But fall'n he is, and now
  48. What rests but that the mortal Sentence pass
  49. On his transgression Death denounc't that day,
  50. Which he presumes already vain and void,
  51. Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd,
  52. By some immediate stroak; but soon shall find
  53. Forbearance no acquittance ere day end.
  54. Justice shall not return as bountie scorn'd.
  55. But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee
  56. Vicegerent Son, to thee I have transferr'd
  57. All Judgement whether in Heav'n, or Earth, or Hell.
  58. Easie it might be seen that I intend
  59. Mercie collegue with Justice, sending thee
  60. Mans Friend his Mediator, his design'd
  61. Both Ransom and Redeemer voluntarie,
  62. And destin'd Man himself to judge Man fall'n.
..............

IN PLAIN ENGLISH

. CHAPTER 10

  1. God knew all about how the snake got Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and how she did the same to her husband.
  2. He knows and sees everything.
  3. He didn't try to stop Satan because the couple had free will, which was all they needed to defend themselves.
  4. But they disobeyed God and now they had to pay the penalty

  5. The guardian angels flew up to Heaven.
  6. They knew about man's fall and they were sad. They couldn't figure out how Satan had got past them.

  7. Soon the news reached Heaven.
  8. Those who heard it were sorry and full of pity (though angels can never really be sad).
  9. They surrounded the ones who returned from Earth to hear all about it, but they were hurrying to God's throne to explain how they tried their best to keep Satan out.
  10. God reassured them that he was not holding them responsible.

  11. Those of you who have just returned from Earth, don't feel bad.
  12. Nothing you did could have prevented man's fall.
  13. Back when Satan was headed for Earth, I told you this would happen.

  14. Nothing I did affected man's fall. I left him entirely to his own free will, without the slightest influence from me.
  15. But he did fall, and now we have to pass sentence on him, which will be death.
  16. He's trying to convince himself that it's not going to happen, since he didn't die immediately. He's wrong.

  17. There's nobody else I would send to judge them but you, my son.
  18. I gave over all jurisdiction to you in Heaven, Hell, and Earth.
  19. It's not hard to see that by sending you I want to add mercy to justice.
  20. You're man's friend. You volunteered to become man yourself one day and be his Savior.
  1. So spake the Father, and unfoulding bright
  2. Toward the right hand his Glorie, on the Son
  3. Blaz'd forth unclouded Deitie; he full
  4. Resplendent all his Father manifest
  5. Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd milde.
  6. Father Eternal, thine is to decree,
  7. Mine both in Heav'n and Earth to do thy will
  8. Supream, that thou in mee thy Son belov'd
  9. Mayst ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge
  10. On Earth these thy transgressors, but thou knowst,
  11. Whoever judg'd, the worst on mee must light,
  12. When time shall be, for so I undertook
  13. Before thee; and not repenting, this obtaine
  14. Of right, that I may mitigate thir doom
  15. On me deriv'd, yet I shall temper so
  16. Justice with Mercie, as may illustrate most
  17. Them fully satisfied, and thee appease.
  18. Attendance none shall need, nor Train, where none
  19. Are to behold the Judgement, but the judg'd,
  20. Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd,
  21. Convict by flight, and Rebel to all Law
  22. Conviction to the Serpent none belongs.
  23. Thus saying, from his radiant Seat he rose
  24. Of high collateral glorie: him Thrones and Powers,
  25. Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant
  26. Accompanied to Heaven Gate, from whence
  27. Eden and all the Coast in prospect lay.
  28. Down he descended strait; the speed of Gods
  29. Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing'd.
  30. Now was the Sun in Western cadence low
  31. From Noon, and gentle Aires due at thir hour
  32. To fan the Earth now wak'd, and usher in
  33. The Eevning coole, when he from wrauth more coole
  34. Came the mild Judge and Intercessor both
  35. To sentence Man: the voice of God they heard
  36. Now walking in the Garden, by soft windes
  37. Brought to thir Ears, while day declin'd, they heard,
  38. And from his presence hid themselves among
  39. The thickest Trees, both Man and Wife, till God
  40. Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud.
  1. The Son appeared on the right side of his father with the glory of his father's light shining on him.

  2. He said, Father, you just say it and I'll do whatever it takes to please you.
  3. I'll go judge the sinners.
  4. But you and I both know I'll be the one who gets the worst of the punishment sooner or later.
  5. I promised it so they wouldn't have to die, and I have no regrets.
  6. I'll judge them fairly but mercifully, just the way you want it.
  7. Nobody needs to come with me to witness this, just those two.
  8. Satan already convicted himself by running away.
  9. The snake was just the innocent stooge.

  10. So he got up and went.
  11. Angels accompanied him to Heaven's gate, where you could look down and see Eden.
  12. He got to Earth in no time, literally.
  13. The sun was setting and gentle breezes brought the cool of the evening.
  14. But his temperament was even cooler.
  15. In sentencing them, he would play judge and defender at the same time.

  16. When they heard his voice they ran and hid.
  1. Where art thou Adam, wont with joy to meet
  2. My coming seen far off? I miss thee here,
  3. Not pleas'd, thus entertaind with solitude,
  4. Where obvious dutie erewhile appear'd unsaught:
  5. Or come I less conspicuous, or what change
  6. Absents thee, or what chance detains? Come forth.
  7. He came, and with him Eve, more loth, though first
  8. To offend, discount'nanc't both, and discompos'd;
  9. Love was not in thir looks, either to God
  10. Or to each other, but apparent guilt,
  11. And shame, and perturbation, and despaire,
  12. Anger, and obstinacie, and hate, and guile.
  13. Whence Adam faultring long, thus answer'd brief.
  14. I heard thee in the Garden, and of thy voice
  15. Affraid, being naked, hid my self. To whom
  16. The gracious Judge without revile repli'd.
  17. My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd,
  18. But still rejoyc't, how is it now become
  19. So dreadful to thee? that thou art naked, who
  20. Hath told thee? hast thou eaten of the Tree
  21. Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat?
  22. To whom thus Adam sore beset repli'd.
  23. O Heav'n! in evil strait this day I stand
  24. Before my Judge, either to undergoe
  25. My self the total Crime, or to accuse
  26. My other self, the partner of my life;
  27. Whose failing, while her Faith to me remaines,
  28. I should conceal, and not expose to blame
  29. By my complaint; but strict necessitie
  30. Subdues me, and calamitous constraint
  31. Least on my head both sin and punishment,
  32. However insupportable, be all
  33. Devolv'd; though should I hold my peace, yet thou
  34. Wouldst easily detect what I conceale.
  35. This Woman whom thou mad'st to be my help,
  36. And gav'st me as thy perfet gift, so good,
  37. So fit, so acceptable, so Divine,
  38. That from her hand I could suspect no ill,
  39. And what she did, whatever in it self,
  40. Her doing seem'd to justifie the deed;
  41. Shee gave me of the Tree, and I did eate.
  42. To whom the sovran Presence thus repli'd.
  43. Was shee thy God, that her thou didst obey
  44. Before his voice, or was shee made thy guide,
  45. Superior, or but equal, that to her
  46. Thou did'st resigne thy Manhood, and the Place
  47. Wherein God set thee above her made of thee,
  48. And for thee, whose perfection farr excell'd
  49. Hers in all real dignitie: Adornd
  50. She was indeed, and lovely to attract
  51. Thy Love, not thy Subjection, and her Gifts
  52. Were such as under Government well seem'd,
  53. Unseemly to beare rule, which was thy part
  54. And person, hadst thou known thy self aright.
  55. So having said, he thus to Eve in few:
  56. Say Woman, what is this which thou hast done?
  57. To whom sad Eve with shame nigh overwhelm'd,
  58. Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge
  59. Bold or loquacious, thus abasht repli'd.
  60. The Serpent me beguil'd and I did eate.
  61. Which when the Lord God heard, without delay
  62. To Judgement he proceeded on th' accus'd
  63. Serpent though brute, unable to transferre
  64. The Guilt on him who made him instrument
  65. Of mischief, and polluted from the end
  66. Of his Creation; justly then accurst,
  67. As vitiated in Nature: more to know
  68. Concern'd not Man (since he no further knew)
  69. Nor alter'd his offence; yet God at last
  70. To Satan first in sin his doom apply'd
  71. Though in mysterious terms, judg'd as then best:
  72. And on the Serpent thus his curse let fall.
  73. Because thou hast done this, thou art accurst
  74. Above all Cattle, each Beast of the Field;
  75. Upon thy Belly groveling thou shalt goe,
  76. And dust shalt eat all the dayes of thy Life.
  77. Between Thee and the Woman I will put
  78. Enmitie, and between thine and her Seed;
  79. Her Seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel.
  80. So spake this Oracle, then verifi'd
  81. When Jesus son of Mary second Eve,
  82. Saw Satan fall like Lightning down from Heav'n,
  83. Prince of the Aire; then rising from his Grave
  84. Spoild Principalities and Powers, triumpht
  85. In open shew, and with ascention bright
  86. Captivity led captive through the Aire,
  87. The Realm it self of Satan long usurpt,
  88. Whom he shall tread at last under our feet;
  89. Eevn hee who now foretold his fatal bruise,
  90. And to the Woman thus his Sentence turn'd.
  91. Thy sorrow I will greatly multiplie
  92. By thy Conception; Children thou shalt bring
  93. In sorrow forth, and to thy Husbands will
  94. Thine shall submit, hee over thee shall rule.
  95. On Adam last thus judgement he pronounc'd.
  96. Because thou hast heark'nd to the voice of thy Wife,
  97. And eaten of the Tree concerning which
  98. I charg'd thee, saying: Thou shalt not eate thereof,
  99. Curs'd is the ground for thy sake, thou in sorrow
  100. Shalt eate thereof all the days of thy Life;
  101. Thorns also and Thistles it shall bring thee forth
  102. Unbid, and thou shalt eate th' Herb of th' Field,
  103. In the sweat of thy Face shalt thou eat Bread,
  104. Till thou return unto the ground, for thou
  105. Out of the ground wast taken, know thy Birth,
  106. For dust thou art, and shalt to dust returne.
  107. So judg'd he Man, both Judge and Saviour sent,
  108. And th' instant stroke of Death denounc't that day
  109. Remov'd farr off; then pittying how they stood
  110. Before him naked to the aire, that now
  111. Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin
  112. Thenceforth the form of servant to assume,
  113. As when he wash'd his servants feet so now
  114. As Father of his Familie he clad
  115. Thir nakedness with Skins of Beasts, or slain,
  116. Or as the Snake with youthful Coate repaid;
  117. And thought not much to cloath his Enemies:
  118. Nor hee thir outward onely with the Skins
  119. Of Beasts, but inward nakedness, much more
  120. Opprobrious, with his Robe of righteousness,
  121. Araying cover'd from his Fathers sight.
  122. To him with swift ascent he up returnd,
  123. Into his blissful bosom reassum'd
  124. In glory as of old, to him appeas'd
  125. All, though all-knowing, what had past with Man
  126. Recounted, mixing intercession sweet.
  127. Meanwhile ere thus was sin'd and judg'd on Earth,
  128. Within the Gates of Hell sate Sin and Death,
  129. In counterview within the Gates, that now
  130. Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame
  131. Farr into Chaos, since the Fiend pass'd through,
  132. Sin opening, who thus now to Death began.
  133. O Son, why sit we here each other viewing
  134. Idlely, while Satan our great Author thrives
  135. In other Worlds, and happier Seat provides
  136. For us his ofspring deare? It cannot be
  137. But that success attends him; if mishap,
  138. Ere this he had return'd, with fury driv'n
  139. By his Avengers, since no place like this
  140. Can fit his punishment, or their revenge.
  141. Methinks I feel new strength within me rise,
  142. Wings growing, and Dominion giv'n me large
  143. Beyond this Deep; whatever drawes me on,
  144. Or sympathie, or som connatural force
  145. Powerful at greatest distance to unite
  146. With secret amity things of like kinde
  147. By secretest conveyance. Thou my Shade
  148. Inseparable must with mee along:
  149. For Death from Sin no power can separate.
  150. But least the difficultie of passing back
  151. Stay his return perhaps over this Gulfe
  152. Impassable, Impervious, let us try
  153. Adventrous work, yet to thy power and mine
  154. Not unagreeable, to found a path
  155. Over this Maine from Hell to that new World
  156. Where Satan now prevailes, a Monument
  157. Of merit high to all th' infernal Host,
  158. Easing thir passage hence, for intercourse,
  159. Or transmigration, as thir lot shall lead.
  160. Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn
  161. By this new felt attraction and instinct.
  162. Whom thus the meager Shadow answerd soon.
  163. Goe whither Fate and inclination strong
  164. Leads thee, I shall not lag behinde, nor erre
  165. The way, thou leading, such a sent I draw
  166. Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste
  167. The savour of Death from all things there that live:
  168. Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest
  169. Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid,
  170. So saying, with delight he snuff'd the smell
  171. Of mortal change on Earth. As when a flock
  172. Of ravenous Fowl, though many a League remote,
  173. Against the day of Battel, to a Field,
  174. Where Armies lie encampt, come flying, lur'd
  175. With sent of living Carcasses design'd
  176. For death, the following day, in bloodie fight.
  177. So sented the grim Feature, and upturn'd
  178. His Nostril wide into the murkie Air,
  179. Sagacious of his Quarry from so farr.
  180. Then Both from out Hell Gates into the waste
  181. Wide Anarchie of Chaos damp and dark
  182. Flew divers, and with Power (thir Power was great)
  183. Hovering upon the Waters; what they met
  184. Solid or slimie, as in raging Sea
  185. Tost up and down, together crowded drove
  186. From each side shoaling towards the mouth of Hell.
  187. As when two Polar Winds blowing adverse
  188. Upon the Cronian Sea, together drive
  189. Mountains of Ice, that stop th' imagin'd way
  190. Beyond Petsora Eastward, to the rich
  191. Cathaian Coast. The aggregated Soyle
  192. Death with his Mace petrific, cold and dry,
  193. As with a Trident smote, and fix't as firm
  194. As Delos floating once; the rest his look
  195. Bound with Gorgonian rigor not to move,
  196. And with Asphaltic slime; broad as the Gate,
  197. Deep to the Roots of Hell the gather'd beach
  198. They fasten'd, and the Mole immense wraught on
  199. Over the foaming deep high Archt, a Bridge
  200. Of length prodigious joyning to the Wall
  201. Immovable of this now fenceless world
  202. Forfeit to Death; from hence a passage broad,
  203. Smooth, easie, inoffensive down to Hell.
  204. So, if great things to small may be compar'd,
  205. Xerxes, the Libertie of Greece to yoke,
  206. From Susa his Memnonian Palace high
  207. Came to the Sea, and over Hellespont
  208. Bridging his way, Europe with Asia joyn'd,
  209. And scourg'd with many a stroak th' indignant waves.
  210. Now had they brought the work by wondrous Art
  211. Pontifical, a ridge of pendent Rock
  212. Over the vext Abyss, following the track
  213. Of Satan, to the self same place where hee
  214. First lighted from his Wing, and landed safe
  215. From out of Chaos to the out side bare
  216. Of this round World: with Pinns of Adamant
  217. And Chains they made all fast, too fast they made
  218. And durable; and now in little space
  219. The confines met of Empyrean Heav'n
  220. And of this World, and on the left hand Hell
  221. With long reach interpos'd; three sev'ral wayes
  222. In sight, to each of these three places led.
  223. And now thir way to Earth they had descri'd,
  224. To Paradise first tending, when behold
  225. Satan in likeness of an Angel bright
  226. Betwixt the Centaure and the Scorpion stearing
  227. His Zenith, while the Sun in Aries rose:
  228. Disguis'd he came, but those his Children dear
  229. Thir Parent soon discern'd, though in disguise.
  230. Hee after Eve seduc't, unminded slunk
  231. Into the Wood fast by, and changing shape
  232. To observe the sequel, saw his guileful act
  233. By Eve, though all unweeting, seconded
  234. Upon her Husband, saw thir shame that sought
  235. Vain covertures; but when he saw descend
  236. The Son of God to judge them terrifi'd
  237. Hee fled, not hoping to escape, but shun
  238. The present, fearing guiltie what his wrauth
  239. Might suddenly inflict; that past, return'd
  240. By Night, and listening where the hapless Paire
  241. Sate in thir sad discourse, and various plaint,
  242. Thence gatherd his own doom, which understood
  243. Not instant, but of future time. With joy
  244. And tidings fraught, to Hell he now return'd,
  245. And at the brink of Chaos, neer the foot
  246. Of this new wondrous Pontifice, unhop't
  247. Met who to meet him came, his Ofspring dear.
  248. Great joy was at thir meeting, and at sight
  249. Of that stupendious Bridge his joy encreas'd.
  250. Long hee admiring stood, till Sin, his faire
  251. Inchanting Daughter, thus the silence broke.
  252. O Parent, these are thy magnific deeds,
  253. Thy Trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own,
  254. Thou art thir Author and prime Architect:
  255. For I no sooner in my Heart divin'd,
  256. My Heart, which by a secret harmonie
  257. Still moves with thine, join'd in connexion sweet,
  258. That thou on Earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks
  259. Now also evidence, but straight I felt
  260. Though distant from thee Worlds between, yet felt
  261. That I must after thee with this thy Son;
  262. Such fatal consequence unites us three:
  263. Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds,
  264. Nor this unvoyageable Gulf obscure
  265. Detain from following thy illustrious track.
  266. Thou hast atchiev'd our libertie, confin'd
  267. Within Hell Gates till now, thou us impow'rd
  268. To fortifie thus farr, and overlay
  269. With this portentous Bridge the dark Abyss.
  270. Thine now is all this World, thy vertue hath won
  271. What thy hands builded not, thy Wisdom gain'd
  272. With odds what Warr hath lost, and fully aveng'd
  273. Our foile in Heav'n; here thou shalt Monarch reign,
  274. There didst not; there let him still Victor sway,
  275. As Battel hath adjudg'd, from this new World
  276. Retiring, by his own doom alienated,
  277. And henceforth Monarchie with thee divide
  278. Of all things parted by th' Empyreal bounds,
  279. His Quadrature, from thy Orbicular World,
  280. Or trie thee now more dang'rous to his Throne.
  281. Whom thus the Prince of Darkness answerd glad.
  282. Fair Daughter, and thou Son and Grandchild both,
  283. High proof ye now have giv'n to be the Race
  284. Of Satan (for I glorie in the name,
  285. Antagonist of Heav'ns Almightie King)
  286. Amply have merited of me, of all
  287. Th' Infernal Empire, that so neer Heav'ns dore
  288. Triumphal with triumphal act have met,
  289. Mine with this glorious Work, and made one Realm
  290. Hell and this World, one Realm, one Continent
  291. Of easie thorough-fare. Therefore while I
  292. Descend through Darkness, on your Rode with ease
  293. To my associate Powers, them to acquaint
  294. With these successes, and with them rejoyce,
  295. You two this way, among these numerous Orbs
  296. All yours, right down to Paradise descend;
  297. There dwell and Reign in bliss, thence on the Earth
  298. Dominion exercise and in the Aire,
  299. Chiefly on Man, sole Lord of all declar'd,
  300. Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill.
  301. My Substitutes I send ye, and Create
  302. Plenipotent on Earth, of matchless might
  303. Issuing from mee: on your joynt vigor now
  304. My hold of this new Kingdom all depends,
  305. Through Sin to Death expos'd by my exploit.
  306. If your joynt power prevailes, th' affaires of Hell
  307. No detriment need feare, goe and be strong.
  308. So saying he dismiss'd them, they with speed
  309. Thir course through thickest Constellations held
  310. Spreading thir bane; the blasted Starrs lookt wan,
  311. And Planets, Planet-strook, real Eclips
  312. Then sufferd. Th' other way Satan went down
  313. The Causey to Hell Gate; on either side
  314. Disparted Chaos over built exclaimd,
  315. And with rebounding surge the barrs assaild,
  316. That scorn'd his indignation: through the Gate,
  317. Wide open and unguarded, Satan pass'd,
  318. And all about found desolate; for those
  319. Appointed to sit there, had left thir charge,
  320. Flown to the upper World; the rest were all
  321. Farr to the inland retir'd, about the walls
  322. Of Pandmonium, Citie and proud seate
  323. Of Lucifer, so by allusion calld,
  324. Of that bright Starr to Satan paragond.
  325. There kept thir Watch the Legions, while the Grand
  326. In Council sate, sollicitous what chance
  327. Might intercept thir Emperour sent, so hee
  328. Departing gave command, and they observ'd.
  329. As when the Tartar from his Russian Foe
  330. By Astracan over the Snowie Plaines
  331. Retires, or Bactrian Sophi from the hornes
  332. Of Turkish Crescent, leaves all waste beyond
  333. The Realm of Aladule, in his retreate
  334. To Tauris or Casbeen. So these the late
  335. Heav'n-banisht Host, left desert utmost Hell
  336. Many a dark League, reduc't in careful Watch
  337. Round thir Metropolis, and now expecting
  338. Each hour thir great adventurer from the search
  339. Of Forrein Worlds: he through the midst unmarkt,
  340. In shew Plebeian Angel militant
  341. Of lowest order, past; and from the dore
  342. Of that Plutonian Hall, invisible
  343. Ascended his high Throne, which under state
  344. Of richest texture spred, at th' upper end
  345. Was plac't in regal lustre. Down a while
  346. He sate, and round about him saw unseen:
  347. At last as from a Cloud his fulgent head
  348. And shape Starr bright appeer'd, or brighter, clad
  349. With what permissive glory since his fall
  350. Was left him, or false glitter: All amaz'd
  351. At that so sudden blaze the Stygian throng
  352. Bent thir aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld,
  353. Thir mighty Chief returnd: loud was th' acclaime:
  354. Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting Peers,
  355. Rais'd from thir dark Divan, and with like joy
  356. Congratulant approach'd him, who with hand
  357. Silence, and with these words attention won.
  358. Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers,
  359. For in possession such, not onely of right,
  360. I call ye and declare ye now, returnd
  361. Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth
  362. Triumphant out of this infernal Pit
  363. Abominable, accurst, the house of woe,
  364. And Dungeon of our Tyrant: Now possess,
  365. As Lords, a spacious World, to our native Heaven
  366. Little inferiour, by my adventure hard
  367. With peril great atchiev'd. Long were to tell
  368. What I have don, what sufferd, with what paine
  369. Voyag'd th' unreal, vast, unbounded deep
  370. Of horrible confusion, over which
  371. By Sin and Death a broad way now is pav'd
  372. To expedite your glorious march; but I
  373. Toild out my uncouth passage, forc't to ride
  374. Th' untractable Abysse, plung'd in the womb
  375. Of unoriginal Night and Chaos wilde,
  376. That jealous of thir secrets fiercely oppos'd
  377. My journey strange, with clamorous uproare
  378. Protesting Fate supreame; thence how I found
  379. The new created World, which fame in Heav'n
  380. Long had foretold, a Fabrick wonderful
  381. Of absolute perfection, therein Man
  382. Plac't in a Paradise, by our exile
  383. Made happie: Him by fraud I have seduc'd
  384. From his Creator, and the more to increase
  385. Your wonder, with an Apple; he thereat
  386. Offended, worth your laughter, hath giv'n up
  387. Both his beloved Man and all his World,
  388. To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us,
  389. Without our hazard, labour, or allarme,
  390. To range in, and to dwell, and over Man
  391. To rule, as over all he should have rul'd.
  392. True is, mee also he hath judg'd, or rather
  393. Mee not, but the brute Serpent in whose shape
  394. Man I deceav'd: that which to mee belongs,
  395. Is enmity, which he will put between
  396. Mee and Mankinde; I am to bruise his heel;
  397. His Seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head:
  398. A World who would not purchase with a bruise,
  399. Or much more grievous pain? Ye have th' account
  400. Of my performance: What remains, ye Gods,
  401. But up and enter now into full bliss.
  402. So having said, a while he stood, expecting
  403. Thir universal shout and high applause
  404. To fill his eare, when contrary he hears
  405. On all sides, from innumerable tongues
  406. A dismal universal hiss, the sound
  407. Of public scorn; he wonderd, but not long
  408. Had leasure, wondring at himself now more;
  409. His Visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare,
  410. His Armes clung to his Ribs, his Leggs entwining
  411. Each other, till supplanted down he fell
  412. A monstrous Serpent on his Belly prone,
  413. Reluctant, but in vaine: a greater power
  414. Now rul'd him, punisht in the shape he sin'd,
  415. According to his doom: he would have spoke,
  416. But hiss for hiss returnd with forked tongue
  417. To forked tongue, for now were all transform'd
  418. Alike, to Serpents all as accessories
  419. To his bold Riot: dreadful was the din
  420. Of hissing through the Hall, thick swarming now
  421. With complicated monsters head and taile,
  422. Scorpion and Asp, and Amphisbna dire,
  423. Cerastes hornd, Hydrus, and Ellops drear,
  424. And Dipsas (not so thick swarm'd once the Soil
  425. Bedropt with blood of Gorgon, or the Isle
  426. Ophiusa) but still greatest hee the midst,
  427. Now Dragon grown, larger then whom the Sun
  428. Ingenderd in the Pythian Vale on slime,
  429. Huge Python, and his Power no less he seem'd
  430. Above the rest still to retain; they all
  431. Him follow'd issuing forth to th' open Field,
  432. Where all yet left of that revolted Rout
  433. Heav'n-fall'n, in station stood or just array,
  434. Sublime with expectation when to see
  435. In Triumph issuing forth thir glorious Chief;
  436. They saw, but other sight instead, a crowd
  437. Of ugly Serpents; horror on them fell,
  438. And horrid sympathie; for what they saw,
  439. They felt themselvs now changing; down thir arms,
  440. Down fell both Spear and Shield, down they as fast,
  441. And the dire hiss renew'd, and the dire form
  442. Catcht by Contagion, like in punishment,
  443. As in thir crime. Thus was th' applause they meant,
  444. Turn'd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame
  445. Cast on themselves from thir own mouths. There stood
  446. A Grove hard by, sprung up with this thir change,
  447. His will who reigns above, to aggravate
  448. Thir penance, laden with Fruit like that
  449. Which grew in Paradise, the bait of Eve
  450. Us'd by the Tempter: on that prospect strange
  451. Thir earnest eyes they fix'd, imagining
  452. For one forbidden Tree a multitude
  453. Now ris'n, to work them furder woe or shame;
  454. Yet parcht with scalding thurst and hunger fierce,
  455. Though to delude them sent, could not abstain,
  456. But on they rould in heaps, and up the Trees
  457. Climbing, sat thicker then the snakie locks
  458. That curld Megra: greedily they pluck'd
  459. The Frutage fair to sight, like that which grew
  460. Neer that bituminous Lake where Sodom flam'd;
  461. This more delusive, not the touch, but taste
  462. Deceav'd; they fondly thinking to allay
  463. Thir appetite with gust, instead of Fruit
  464. Chewd bitter Ashes, which th' offended taste
  465. With spattering noise rejected: oft they assayd,
  466. Hunger and thirst constraining, drugd as oft,
  467. With hatefullest disrelish writh'd thir jaws
  468. With soot and cinders fill'd; so oft they fell
  469. Into the same illusion, not as Man
  470. Whom they triumph'd once lapst. Thus were they plagu'd
  471. And worn with Famin, long and ceasless hiss,
  472. Till thir lost shape, permitted, they resum'd,
  473. Yearly enjoynd, some say, to undergo
  474. This annual humbling certain number'd days,
  475. To dash thir pride, and joy for Man seduc't.
  476. However some tradition they dispers'd
  477. Among the Heathen of thir purchase got,
  478. And Fabl'd how the Serpent, whom they calld
  479. Ophion with Eurynome, the wide-
  480. Encroaching Eve perhaps, had first the rule
  481. Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn driv'n
  482. And Ops, ere yet Dictan Jove was born.
  483. Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair
  484. Too soon arriv'd, Sin there in power before,
  485. Once actual, now in body, and to dwell
  486. Habitual habitant; behind her Death
  487. Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet
  488. On his pale Horse: to whom Sin thus began.
  489. Second of Satan sprung, all conquering Death,
  490. What thinkst thou of our Empire now, though earnd
  491. With travail difficult, not better farr
  492. Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch,
  493. Unnam'd, undreaded, and thy self half starv'd?
  494. Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answerd soon.
  495. To mee, who with eternal Famin pine,
  496. Alike is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven,
  497. There best, where most with ravin I may meet;
  498. Which here, though plenteous, all too little seems
  499. To stuff this Maw, this vast unhide-bound Corps.
  500. To whom th' incestuous Mother thus repli'd.
  501. Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, and Flours
  502. Feed first, on each Beast next, and Fish, and Fowle,
  503. No homely morsels, and whatever thing
  504. The Sithe of Time mowes down, devour unspar'd,
  505. Till I in Man residing through the Race,
  506. His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect,
  507. And season him thy last and sweetest prey.
  508. This said, they both betook them several wayes,
  509. Both to destroy, or unimmortal make
  510. All kinds, and for destruction to mature
  511. Sooner or later; which th' Almightie seeing,
  512. From his transcendent Seat the Saints among,
  513. To those bright Orders utterd thus his voice.
  514. See with what heat these Dogs of Hell advance
  515. To waste and havoc yonder World, which I
  516. So fair and good created, and had still
  517. Kept in that State, had not the folly of Man
  518. Let in these wastful Furies, who impute
  519. Folly to mee, so doth the Prince of Hell
  520. And his Adherents, that with so much ease
  521. I suffer them to enter and possess
  522. A place so heav'nly, and conniving seem
  523. To gratifie my scornful Enemies,
  524. That laugh, as if transported with some fit
  525. Of Passion, I to them had quitted all,
  526. At random yielded up to their misrule;
  527. And know not that I call'd and drew them thither
  528. My Hell-hounds, to lick up the draff and filth
  529. Which mans polluting Sin with taint hath shed
  530. On what was pure, till cramm'd and gorg'd, nigh burst
  531. With suckt and glutted offal, at one sling
  532. Of thy victorious Arm, well-pleasing Son,
  533. Both Sin, and Death, and yawning Grave at last
  534. Through Chaos hurld, obstruct the mouth of Hell
  535. For ever, and seal up his ravenous Jawes.
  536. Then Heav'n and Earth renewd shall be made pure
  537. To sanctitie that shall receive no staine:
  538. Till then the Curse pronounc't on both precedes.
  539. He ended, and the Heav'nly Audience loud
  540. Sung Halleluia, as the sound of Seas,
  541. Through multitude that sung: Just are thy ways,
  542. Righteous are thy Decrees on all thy Works;
  543. Who can extenuate thee? Next, to the Son,
  544. Destin'd restorer of Mankind, by whom
  545. New Heav'n and Earth shall to the Ages rise,
  546. Or down from Heav'n descend. Such was thir song,
  547. While the Creator calling forth by name
  548. His mightie Angels gave them several charge,
  549. As sorted best with present things. The Sun
  550. Had first his precept so to move, so shine,
  551. As might affect the Earth with cold and heat
  552. Scarce tollerable, and from the North to call
  553. Decrepit Winter, from the South to bring
  554. Solstitial summers heat. To the blanc Moone
  555. Her office they prescrib'd, to th' other five
  556. Thir planetarie motions and aspects
  557. In Sextile, Square, and Trine, and Opposite,
  558. Of noxious efficacie, and when to joyne
  559. In Synod unbenigne, and taught the fixt
  560. Thir influence malignant when to showre,
  561. Which of them rising with the Sun, or falling,
  562. Should prove tempestuous: To the Winds they set
  563. Thir corners, when with bluster to confound
  564. Sea, Aire, and Shoar, the Thunder when to rowle
  565. With terror through the dark Aereal Hall.
  566. Some say he bid his Angels turne ascanse
  567. The Poles of Earth twice ten degrees and more
  568. From the Suns Axle; they with labour push'd
  569. Oblique the Centric Globe: Som say the Sun
  570. Was bid turn Reines from th' Equinoctial Rode
  571. Like distant breadth to Taurus with the Seav'n
  572. Atlantick Sisters, and the Spartan Twins
  573. Up to the Tropic Crab; thence down amaine
  574. By Leo and the Virgin and the Scales,
  575. As deep as Capricorne, to bring in change
  576. Of Seasons to each Clime; else had the Spring
  577. Perpetual smil'd on Earth with vernant Flours,
  578. Equal in Days and Nights, except to those
  579. Beyond the Polar Circles; to them Day
  580. Had unbenighted shon, while the low Sun
  581. To recompence his distance, in thir sight
  582. Had rounded still th' Horizon, and not known
  583. Or East or West, which had forbid the Snow
  584. From cold Estotiland, and South as farr
  585. Beneath Magellan. At that tasted Fruit
  586. The Sun, as from Thyestean Banquet, turn'd
  587. His course intended; else how had the World
  588. Inhabited, though sinless, more then now,
  589. Avoided pinching cold and scorching heate?
  590. These changes in the Heav'ns, though slow, produc'd
  591. Like change on Sea and Land, sideral blast,
  592. Vapour, and Mist, and Exhalation hot,
  593. Corrupt and Pestilent: Now from the North
  594. Of Norumbega, and the Samoed shoar
  595. Bursting thir brazen Dungeon, armd with ice
  596. And snow and haile and stormie gust and flaw,
  597. Boreas and Ccias and Argestes loud
  598. And Thrascias rend the Woods and Seas upturn;
  599. With adverse blast up-turns them from the South
  600. Notus and Afer black with thundrous Clouds
  601. From Serraliona; thwart of these as fierce
  602. Forth rush the Levant and the Ponent Windes
  603. Eurus and Zephir with thir lateral noise,
  604. Sirocco, and Libecchio. Thus began
  605. Outrage from liveless things; but Discord first
  606. Daughter of Sin, among th' irrational,
  607. Death introduc'd through fierce antipathie:
  608. Beast now with Beast gan war, and Fowle with Fowle,
  609. And Fish with Fish; to graze the Herb all leaving,
  610. Devourd each other; nor stood much in awe
  611. Of Man, but fled him, or with count'nance grim
  612. Glar'd on him passing: these were from without
  613. The growing miseries, which Adam saw
  614. Alreadie in part, though hid in gloomiest shade,
  615. To sorrow abandond, but worse felt within,
  616. And in a troubl'd Sea of passion tost,
  617. Thus to disburd'n sought with sad complaint.
  618. O miserable of happie! is this the end
  619. Of this new glorious World, and mee so late
  620. The Glory of that Glory, who now becom
  621. Accurst of blessed, hide me from the face
  622. Of God, whom to behold was then my highth
  623. Of happiness: yet well, if here would end
  624. The miserie, I deserv'd it, and would beare
  625. My own deservings; but this will not serve;
  626. All that I eat or drink, or shall beget,
  627. Is propagated curse. O voice once heard
  628. Delightfully, Encrease and multiply,
  629. Now death to hear! for what can I encrease
  630. Or multiplie, but curses on my head?
  631. Who of all Ages to succeed, but feeling
  632. The evil on him brought by me, will curse
  633. My Head, Ill fare our Ancestor impure,
  634. For this we may thank Adam; but his thanks
  635. Shall be the execration; so besides
  636. Mine own that bide upon me, all from mee
  637. Shall with a fierce reflux on mee redound,
  638. On mee as on thir natural center light
  639. Heavie, though in thir place. O fleeting joyes
  640. Of Paradise, deare bought with lasting woes!
  641. Did I request thee, Maker, from my Clay
  642. To mould me Man, did I sollicite thee
  643. From darkness to promote me, or here place
  644. In this delicious Garden? as my Will
  645. Concurd not to my being, it were but right
  646. And equal to reduce me to my dust,
  647. Desirous to resigne, and render back
  648. All I receav'd, unable to performe
  649. Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold
  650. The good I sought not. To the loss of that,
  651. Sufficient penaltie, why hast thou added
  652. The sense of endless woes? inexplicable
  653. Thy Justice seems; yet to say truth, too late,
  654. I thus contest; then should have been refusd
  655. Those terms whatever, when they were propos'd:
  656. Thou didst accept them; wilt thou enjoy the good,
  657. Then cavil the conditions? and though God
  658. Made thee without thy leave, what if thy Son
  659. Prove disobedient, and reprov'd, retort,
  660. Wherefore didst thou beget me? I sought it not
  661. Wouldst thou admit for his contempt of thee
  662. That proud excuse? yet him not thy election,
  663. But Natural necessity begot.
  664. God made thee of choice his own, and of his own
  665. To serve him, thy reward was of his grace,
  666. Thy punishment then justly is at his Will.
  667. Be it so, for I submit, his doom is fair,
  668. That dust I am, and shall to dust returne:
  669. O welcom hour whenever! why delayes
  670. His hand to execute what his Decree
  671. Fixd on this day? why do I overlive,
  672. Why am I mockt with death, and length'nd out
  673. To deathless pain? how gladly would I meet
  674. Mortalitie my sentence, and be Earth
  675. Insensible, how glad would lay me down
  676. As in my Mothers lap! There I should rest
  677. And sleep secure; his dreadful voice no more
  678. Would Thunder in my ears, no fear of worse
  679. To mee and to my ofspring would torment me
  680. With cruel expectation. Yet one doubt
  681. Pursues me still, least all I cannot die,
  682. Least that pure breath of Life, the Spirit of Man
  683. Which God inspir'd, cannot together perish
  684. With this corporeal Clod; then in the Grave,
  685. Or in some other dismal place who knows
  686. But I shall die a living Death? O thought
  687. Horrid, if true! yet why? it was but breath
  688. Of Life that sinn'd; what dies but what had life
  689. And sin? the Bodie properly hath neither.
  690. All of me then shall die: let this appease
  691. The doubt, since humane reach no further knows.
  692. For though the Lord of all be infinite,
  693. Is his wrauth also? be it, man is not so,
  694. But mortal doom'd. How can he exercise
  695. Wrath without end on Man whom Death must end?
  696. Can he make deathless Death? that were to make
  697. Strange contradiction, which to God himself
  698. Impossible is held, as Argument
  699. Of weakness, not of Power. Will he, draw out,
  700. For angers sake, finite to infinite
  701. In punisht man, to satisfie his rigour
  702. Satisfi'd never; that were to extend
  703. His Sentence beyond dust and Natures Law,
  704. By which all Causes else according still
  705. To the reception of thir matter act,
  706. Not to th' extent of thir own Spheare. But say
  707. That Death be not one stroak, as I suppos'd,
  708. Bereaving sense, but endless miserie
  709. From this day onward, which I feel begun
  710. Both in me, and without me, and so last
  711. To perpetuitie; Ay me, that fear
  712. Comes thundring back with dreadful revolution
  713. On my defensless head; both Death and I
  714. Am found Eternal, and incorporate both,
  715. Nor I on my part single, in mee all
  716. Posteritie stands curst: Fair Patrimonie
  717. That I must leave ye, Sons; O were I able
  718. To waste it all my self, and leave ye none!
  719. So disinherited how would ye bless
  720. Me now your curse! Ah, why should all mankind
  721. For one mans fault thus guiltless be condemn'd,
  722. If guiltless? But from mee what can proceed,
  723. But all corrupt, both Mind and Will deprav'd,
  724. Not to do onely, but to will the same
  725. With me? how can they then acquitted stand
  726. In sight of God? Him after all Disputes
  727. Forc't I absolve: all my evasions vain
  728. And reasonings, though through Mazes, lead me still
  729. But to my own conviction: first and last
  730. On mee, mee onely, as the sourse and spring
  731. Of all corruption, all the blame lights due;
  732. So might the wrauth. Fond wish! couldst thou support
  733. That burden heavier then the Earth to bear
  734. Then all the World much heavier, though divided
  735. With that bad Woman? Thus what thou desir'st,
  736. And what thou fearst, alike destroyes all hope
  737. Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable
  738. Beyond all past example and future,
  739. To Satan only like both crime and doom.
  740. O Conscience, into what Abyss of fears
  741. And horrors hast thou driv'n me; out of which
  742. I find no way, from deep to deeper plung'd!
  743. Thus Adam to himself lamented loud
  744. Through the still Night, not now, as ere man fell,
  745. Wholsom and cool, and mild, but with black Air
  746. Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom,
  747. Which to his evil Conscience represented
  748. All things with double terror: On the ground
  749. Outstretcht he lay, on the cold ground, and oft
  750. Curs'd his Creation, Death as oft accus'd
  751. Of tardie execution, since denounc't
  752. The day of his offence. Why comes not Death,
  753. Said hee, with one thrice acceptable stroke
  754. To end me? Shall Truth fail to keep her word,
  755. Justice Divine not hast'n to be just?
  756. But Death comes not at call, Justice Divine
  757. Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries.
  758. O Woods, O Fountains, Hillocks, Dales and Bowrs,
  759. With other echo late I taught your Shades
  760. To answer, and resound farr other Song.
  761. Whom thus afflicted when sad Eve beheld,
  762. Desolate where she sate, approaching nigh,
  763. Soft words to his fierce passion she assay'd:
  764. But her with stern regard he thus repell'd.
  765. Out of my sight, thou Serpent, that name best
  766. Befits thee with him leagu'd, thy self as false
  767. And hateful; nothing wants, but that thy shape,
  768. Like his, and colour Serpentine may shew
  769. Thy inward fraud, to warn all Creatures from thee
  770. Henceforth; least that too heav'nly form, pretended
  771. To hellish falshood, snare them. But for thee
  772. I had persisted happie, had not thy pride
  773. And wandring vanitie, when lest was safe,
  774. Rejected my forewarning, and disdain'd
  775. Not to be trusted, longing to be seen
  776. Though by the Devil himself, him overweening
  777. To over-reach, but with the Serpent meeting
  778. Fool'd and beguil'd, by him thou, I by thee,
  779. To trust thee from my side, imagin'd wise,
  780. Constant, mature, proof against all assaults,
  781. And understood not all was but a shew
  782. Rather then solid vertu, all but a Rib
  783. Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears,
  784. More to the part sinister from me drawn,
  785. Well if thrown out, as supernumerarie
  786. To my just number found. O why did God,
  787. Creator wise, that peopl'd highest Heav'n
  788. With Spirits Masculine, create at last
  789. This noveltie on Earth, this fair defect
  790. Of Nature, and not fill the World at once
  791. With Men as Angels without Feminine,
  792. Or find some other way to generate
  793. Mankind? this mischief had not then befall'n,
  794. And more that shall befall, innumerable
  795. Disturbances on Earth through Femal snares,
  796. And straight conjunction with this Sex: for either
  797. He never shall find out fit Mate, but such
  798. As some misfortune brings him, or mistake,
  799. Or whom he wishes most shall seldom gain
  800. Through her perversness, but shall see her gaind
  801. By a farr worse, or if she love, withheld
  802. By Parents, or his happiest choice too late
  803. Shall meet, alreadie linkt and Wedlock-bound
  804. To a fell Adversarie, his hate or shame:
  805. Which infinite calamitie shall cause
  806. To Humane life, and houshold peace confound.
  807. He added not, and from her turn'd, but Eve
  808. Not so repulst, with Tears that ceas'd not flowing,
  809. And tresses all disorderd, at his feet
  810. Fell humble, and imbracing them, besaught
  811. His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint.
  812. Forsake me not thus, Adam, witness Heav'n
  813. What love sincere, and reverence in my heart
  814. I beare thee, and unweeting have offended,
  815. Unhappilie deceav'd; thy suppliant
  816. I beg, and clasp thy knees; bereave me not,
  817. Whereon I live, thy gentle looks, thy aid,
  818. Thy counsel in this uttermost distress,
  819. My onely strength and stay: forlorn of thee,
  820. Whither shall I betake me, where subsist?
  821. While yet we live, scarse one short hour perhaps,
  822. Between us two let there be peace, both joyning,
  823. As joyn'd in injuries, one enmitie
  824. Against a Foe by doom express assign'd us,
  825. That cruel Serpent: On me exercise not
  826. Thy hatred for this miserie befall'n,
  827. On me alreadie lost, mee then thy self
  828. More miserable; both have sin'd, but thou
  829. Against God onely, I against God and thee,
  830. And to the place of judgment will return,
  831. There with my cries importune Heaven, that all
  832. The sentence from thy head remov'd may light
  833. On me, sole cause to thee of all this woe,
  834. Mee mee onely just object of his ire.
  835. She ended weeping, and her lowlie plight,
  836. Immovable till peace obtain'd from fault
  837. Acknowledg'd and deplor'd, in Adam wraught
  838. Commiseration; soon his heart relented
  839. Towards her, his life so late and sole delight,
  840. Now at his feet submissive in distress,
  841. Creature so faire his reconcilement seeking,
  842. His counsel whom she had displeas'd, his aide;
  843. As one disarm'd, his anger all he lost,
  844. And thus with peaceful words uprais'd her soon.
  845. Unwarie, and too desirous, as before,
  846. So now of what thou knowst not, who desir'st
  847. The punishment all on thy self; alas,
  848. Beare thine own first, ill able to sustaine
  849. His full wrauth whose thou feelst as yet lest part,
  850. And my displeasure bearst so ill. If Prayers
  851. Could alter high Decrees, I to that place
  852. Would speed before thee, and be louder heard,
  853. That on my head all might be visited,
  854. Thy frailtie and infirmer Sex forgiv'n,
  855. To me committed and by me expos'd.
  856. But rise, let us no more contend, nor blame
  857. Each other, blam'd enough elsewhere, but strive
  858. In offices of Love, how we may light'n
  859. Each others burden in our share of woe;
  860. Since this days Death denounc't, if ought I see,
  861. Will prove no sudden, but a slow-pac't evill,
  862. A long days dying to augment our paine,
  863. And to our Seed (O hapless Seed!) deriv'd.
  864. To whom thus Eve, recovering heart, repli'd.
  865. Adam, by sad experiment I know
  866. How little weight my words with thee can finde,
  867. Found so erroneous, thence by just event
  868. Found so unfortunate; nevertheless,
  869. Restor'd by thee, vile as I am, to place
  870. Of new acceptance, hopeful to regaine
  871. Thy Love, the sole contentment of my heart
  872. Living or dying, from thee I will not hide
  873. What thoughts in my unquiet brest are ris'n,
  874. Tending to some relief of our extremes,
  875. Or end, though sharp and sad, yet tolerable,
  876. As in our evils, and of easier choice.
  877. If care of our descent perplex us most,
  878. Which must be born to certain woe, devourd
  879. By Death at last, and miserable it is
  880. To be to others cause of misery,
  881. Our own begotten, and of our Loines to bring
  882. Into this cursed World a woful Race,
  883. That after wretched Life must be at last
  884. Food for so foule a Monster, in thy power
  885. It lies, yet ere Conception to prevent
  886. The Race unblest, to being yet unbegot.
  887. Childless thou art, Childless remaine:
  888. So Death shall be deceav'd his glut, and with us two
  889. Be forc'd to satisfie his Rav'nous Maw.
  890. But if thou judge it hard and difficult,
  891. Conversing, looking, loving, to abstain
  892. From Loves due Rites, Nuptial imbraces sweet,
  893. And with desire to languish without hope,
  894. Before the present object languishing
  895. With like desire, which would be miserie
  896. And torment less then none of what we dread,
  897. Then both our selves and Seed at once to free
  898. From what we fear for both, let us make short,
  899. Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply
  900. With our own hands his Office on our selves;
  901. Why stand we longer shivering under feares,
  902. That shew no end but Death, and have the power,
  903. Of many ways to die the shortest choosing,
  904. Destruction with destruction to destroy.
  905. She ended heer, or vehement despaire
  906. Broke off the rest; so much of Death her thoughts
  907. Had entertaind, as di'd her Cheeks with pale.
  908. But Adam with such counsel nothing sway'd,
  909. To better hopes his more attentive minde
  910. Labouring had rais'd, and thus to Eve repli'd.
  911. Eve, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems
  912. To argue in thee somthing more sublime
  913. And excellent then what thy minde contemnes;
  914. But self-destruction therefore saught, refutes
  915. That excellence thought in thee, and implies,
  916. Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret
  917. For loss of life and pleasure overlov'd.
  918. Or if thou covet death, as utmost end
  919. Of miserie, so thinking to evade
  920. The penaltie pronounc't, doubt not but God
  921. Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire then so
  922. To be forestall'd; much more I fear least Death
  923. So snatcht will not exempt us from the paine
  924. We are by doom to pay; rather such acts
  925. Of contumacie will provoke the highest
  926. To make death in us live: Then let us seek
  927. Some safer resolution, which methinks
  928. I have in view, calling to minde with heed
  929. Part of our Sentence, that thy Seed shall bruise
  930. The Serpents head; piteous amends, unless
  931. Be meant, whom I conjecture, our grand Foe
  932. Satan, who in the Serpent hath contriv'd
  933. Against us this deceit: to crush his head
  934. Would be revenge indeed; which will be lost
  935. By death brought on our selves, or childless days
  936. Resolv'd, as thou proposest; so our Foe
  937. Shall scape his punishment ordain'd, and wee
  938. Instead shall double ours upon our heads.
  939. No more be mention'd then of violence
  940. Against our selves, and wilful barrenness,
  941. That cuts us off from hope, and savours onely
  942. Rancor and pride, impatience and despite,
  943. Reluctance against God and his just yoke
  944. Laid on our Necks. Remember with what mild
  945. And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd
  946. Without wrauth or reviling; wee expected
  947. Immediate dissolution, which we thought
  948. Was meant by Death that day, when lo, to thee
  949. Pains onely in Child-bearing were foretold,
  950. And bringing forth, soon recompenc't with joy,
  951. Fruit of thy Womb: On mee the Curse aslope
  952. Glanc'd on the ground, with labour I must earne
  953. My bread; what harm? Idleness had bin worse;
  954. My labour will sustain me; and least Cold
  955. Or Heat should injure us, his timely care
  956. Hath unbesaught provided, and his hands
  957. Cloath'd us unworthie, pitying while he judg'd;
  958. How much more, if we pray him, will his ear
  959. Be open, and his heart to pitie incline,
  960. And teach us further by what means to shun
  961. Th' inclement Seasons, Rain, Ice, Hail and Snow,
  962. Which now the Skie with various Face begins
  963. To shew us in this Mountain, while the Winds
  964. Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks
  965. Of these fair spreading Trees; which bids us seek
  966. Som better shroud, som better warmth to cherish
  967. Our Limbs benumm'd, ere this diurnal Starr
  968. Leave cold the Night, how we his gather'd beams
  969. Reflected, may with matter sere foment,
  970. Or by collision of two bodies grinde
  971. The Air attrite to Fire, as late the Clouds
  972. Justling or pusht with Winds rude in thir shock
  973. Tine the slant Lightning, whose thwart flame driv'n down
  974. Kindles the gummie bark of Firr or Pine,
  975. And sends a comfortable heat from farr,
  976. Which might supplie the Sun: such Fire to use,
  977. And what may else be remedie or cure
  978. To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought,
  979. Hee will instruct us praying, and of Grace
  980. Beseeching him, so as we need not fear
  981. To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd
  982. By him with many comforts, till we end
  983. In dust, our final rest and native home.
  984. What better can we do, then to the place
  985. Repairing where he judg'd us, prostrate fall
  986. Before him reverent, and there confess
  987. Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
  988. Watering the ground, and with our sighs the Air
  989. Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
  990. Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.
  991. Undoubtedly he will relent and turn
  992. From his displeasure; in whose look serene,
  993. When angry most he seem'd and most severe,
  994. What else but favor, grace, and mercie shon?
  995. So spake our Father penitent, nor Eve
  996. Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place
  997. Repairing where he judg'd them prostrate fell
  998. Before him reverent, and both confess'd
  999. Humbly thir faults, and pardon beg'd, with tears
  1000. Watering the ground, and with thir sighs the Air
  1001. Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
  1002. Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.


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