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PARADISE LOST.

BOOK

THE

XII.

ARGUMENT.

The Angel Michael continues from the flood to relate what fball fucceed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain, who that Seed of the Woman fhall be, which was promised Adam & Eve in the Fail; His incarnation, Death, Refurrection, & Afcenfion; the ftate of the Church till his fecond coming. Adam greatly fatisfied and recomforted by thefe relations and promifes, defcends the bill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had flept, but with gentle dreams compos'd to quietness of mind and fubmiffion. Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradife, the fiery fword waving behind them, and the Cherubim taking their ftations to guard the place.

S one who in his journey bates at noon,
Tho' bent on speed: fo here th' Arch-
Angel, paus'd,

Betwixt the world deftroy'd, and world
reftor'd,

If ADAM ought perhaps might interpofe:
Then, with tranfition fweet, new fpeech refumes. 5

Thus thou haft feen one world begin, and end,
And man as from a fecond stock proceed..
Much thou hast yet to fee; but I perceive
Thy mortal fight to fail: objects divine
Muft needs impair, and weary human sense.

Hence

Henceforth what is to come I will relate,
Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.

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This fecond fource of men, while yet but few, And while the dread of judgment paft remains Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity, With fome regard to what is juft and right Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace; Lab'ring the foil, and reaping plenteous crop, Corn, wine, and oil: and from the herd, or flock, Oft facrificing bullock, lamb, or kid, With large wine-offerings pour'd, and facred feast, Shall spend their days in joy unblam'd; and dwell Long time in peace, by families, and tribes, Under paternal rule: till one shall rife Of proud ambitious heart; who (not content With fair equality, fraternal fate;) Will arrogate dominion undeferv'd, Over his brethren, and quite difpoffefs Concord, and law of nature from the earth;

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Hunting (and men, not beafts, fhall be his game) 30
With war, and hoftile fnare, fuch as refufe
Subjection to his empire tyrannous.

A mighty hunter thence he fhall be ftyl'd
Before the Lord; as in defpite of Heav'n,

Or from Heav'n, claiming fecond fov'reignty: 35
And from rebellion fhall derive his name,
Though of rebellion others he accufe.
He with a crew, (whom like ambition joins
With him, or under him to tyrannize)

Marching from EDEN tow'rds the weft, fhall find 40
The plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge
Boils out from under ground, the mouth of hell.
Qf brick, and of that stuff, they caft to build
A city, and tow'r, whofe top may reach to heav'n;
And get themselves a name: left far difperft
In foreign lands, their memory be loft;
Regardless whether good or evil fame.

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But

But GOD (who oft defcends to vifit men
Unfeen, and through their habitations walks
To mark their doings) them beholding foon,
Comes down to fee their city, e're the tow'r
Obftruct heav'n-tow'rs; and in derifion fets
Upon their tongues a various fpirit, to rafe
Quite out their native language: and instead,
To fow a jangling noife of words unknown.
Forthwith a hideous gabble rifes loud,
Among the builders: each to other calls
Not understood; till hoarfe, and all in rage,

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As mock'd they ftorm: great laughter was in Heav'n',
And looking down, to fee the hubbub ftrange, 60
And hear the din: thus was the building left
Ridiculous; and the work Confufion nam'd.

Whereto thus ADAM, fatherly difpleas'd.
O execrable fon fo to afpire
Above his brethren; to himfelf affuming
Authority ufurp'd, from GoD not giv'n.
He gave us only over beaft, fish, fowl
Dominion abfolute; that right we hold
By his donation: but man over men
He made not Lord: fuch title to himfelf
Referving, human left from human free.
But this ufurper his encroachment proud
Stays not on man: to GoD his tow'r intends
Siege, and defiance. Wretched man! what food
Will he convey up thither to fullain
Himfelf, and his rafh army; where thin air
Above the clouds will pine his entrails grofs;
And famith him of breath, if not of bread?

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To whom thus MICHAEL. Juftly thou abhorr'st That fon, who on the quiet ftate of men

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Such trouble brought, affecting to fubdue
Rational liberty: yet know withal,

Since by original lapfe, true liberty