Once fawn'd, and cring'd, and servilely ador'd But mark what I arreed thee now avaunt, Fly thither whence thou fled'st! If from this hour So, Back to the infernal pit I drag thee chain'd Then, when I am thy captive, talk of chains, Proud limitary cherub! but ere then Far heavier load thyself expect to feel From my prevailing arm, though heaven's king His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest What seem'd both spear and shield. Now dreadful deeds Might have ensued, nor only paradise In this commotion, but the starry cope At least had gone to wreck, disturb'd and torn Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, « Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know'st mine; Neither our own, but given : what folly then To boast what arms can do? since thine no more Than heaven permits, nor mine, though doubled now To trample thee as mire : for proof look And read thy lot in yon celestial sign; up, Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how weak, Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night. BOOK THE THE ARGUMENT. Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her: they come forth to their daylabours: their morning-hymn at the door of their bower. God, to render man inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand; who he is, and why his enemy; and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Kaphael comes down to paradise; his appearance described; his coming discerned by Adam afar off, sitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam of his state and of his enemy; relates, at Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in heaven and the occasion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him, persuading all but only Abdiel, a seraph, who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him. Now Morn, her rosy steps in the eastern clime Advancing, sow'd the earth with orient pearl, When Adam wak'd, so custom'd; for his sleep Was aery-light, from pure digestion bred, And temperate vapours bland, which th' only sound Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, Lightly dispers'd, and the shrill matin-song So much the more His wonder was, to find unwaken'd Eve « Awake, My fairest, my espous'd, my latest found, « O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose, My glory, my perfection! glad I see Thy face, and morn return'd; for I this night (Such night till this I never pass'd) have dream'd, (If dream'd) not, as I oft am wont, of thee, Works of day past, or morrow's next design But of offence and trouble, which my mind Knew never till this irksome night: methought, Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk With gentle voice; I thought it thine : it said, - Why sleep'st thou, Eve! now is the pleasant time, The cool, the silent, save where silence yields To the night-warbling bird, that now awake << I rose as at thy call, but found thee not: And, as I wondering look'd, beside it stood Ambrosia; on that tree he also gaz'd; And, O fair plant, (said he ) with fruit surcharg'd, Deigns none to ease thy load, and taste thy sweet; Nor God, nor man? Is knowledge so despis'd? Or envy, or what reserve forbids to taste? Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold Longer thy offer'd good; why else set here? This said; he paus'd not, but with venturous arm He pluck'd, he tasted; me damp horror chill'd, At such bold words vouch'd with a deed so bold : But he thus, overjoy'd: - O fruit divine! Sweet of thyself, but much more sweet thus cropt, |