1

And manifold in sin, deferv'd to fall.

Up into Heav'n from Paradise in haste Th' Angelic Guards ascended, mute and fad For man; for of his state by this they knew: Much wond'ring, how the subtle fiend had

stol'n Entrance unseen. Soon th' unwelcome

20

аз

news

From earth arriv'd at Heaven gate, difpleas'd
All were, who heard : dim sadness did not spare
That time celestial visages; yet mix’d
With pity, violated not their bliss. 25
About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes
Th'ethereal people ran, to hear and know
How all befel: they towards the Throne su-

preme
Accountable made hafte to make appear
With righteous plea their utmost vigilance; 30
And easily approvd: when the Most High
Eternal Father, from his secret cloud
Amidft, in thunder utter'd thus his voice.

Allembled Angels, and ye Pow'rs return'd From unsuccessful charge! be not dismay'd, 35 Nor troubl'd at these tidings from the earth, Which your fincerest care could not prevent, Foretold so lately, what would come to pass, When first this t'empter cross’d the gulf from

Hell. I told you then he should prevail, and speed 40

On his bad errand; Man should be seduc'd,
And flatter'd out of all, believing lies
Against his Maker: no decree of mine
Concurring to necellitate his fall,
Or touch with lightest moment of impulse : 45
His free will, to her own inclining left,
In even scale. But fall’n he is, and now
What rests, but that the mortal Sentence pass
On his transgreflion, death denounc'd that
i

i day; '.
Which he presumes already vain and void, 50
Because not inflicted, as he fear'd,
By some immediate stroke: aut Toon shall find
Forbearance no acquittance e're day end.
Justice liiall not return, as bounty, scorn'd.
But whom send I to judge them? whom, but

thee

55 Vicegerent Son? To thee I have transferr'd All jugdment', whether in Heay'n, or Earth,

or Hell, Easy it may be seen, that I intend Mercy collegue with justice sending thee, Man's friend, his mediator, his delign'd 60 Both ransom and redeemer voluntary; And destin'd man himself, to judge man fall’n.

So fpake the Father, and unfolding bright Tow'rd the right hand his Glory, on the Son Blaz'd forth unclouded Deity: He full 65 Refplendent all his father manifest

Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild.

Father Eternal! Thine is to decree; Mine both in Heav'n and Earth, to do thy will Supreme; that thou in me thy Son belov'd 70 Mayst ever rest well pleas’d. I go to judge On earth these thy transgressors ;; but thou

know'It, Whoever judg'd, the worst on me, must light, When time shall be; for so I undertook Before thee; and not repenting, this obtain 75 Of right, that I may mitigate their doom On me deriv'd: yet I shall temper so Justice with Mercy, as may illustrate most

Them fully satisfy'd, and thee appeare, Attendance none Chall need, nor train, where

80 Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd, Those two: the third best absent is condemn’d; Convict by flight, and rebel to all law; Conviction to the serpent none belongs. Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose

85 Of high collateral glory: Hin Thrones, and

Pow’rs, Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant. Accompanied to Heaven-gate : from whence Eden, and all the coast in prospect lay.. Downi he descended straight: the speed of

Gods

90

none

Time counds not, tho' with swiftest minuteslt

wined, Now was the Sun in western cadence low From noon;

and gentle airs, due at their

hour, To fan the earth irow wak'd, and usher in The ev'ning cool; when he, from wrath more

cool,

95 Came, the mild Judge, and Intercessor both, To sentence man: the voice of God they heard, Now walking in the garden, by soft winds Brought to their ears while day declin’d: they

heard, And from his presence hid themselves,

among The thickest trees, both man and wife: till

God Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud. Where art thou Adam, wont with joy to

meet My coming seen far off ? I miss thee here, Not pleas'd; thus entertain'd with solitudo, 105 Where obvious duty e're-while appear'd un

fought: Or come I less confpicious ? Or what change Absents thee? Or what change detains ? Come

forth : He came, and with him Eve, more loth,

tho' first

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110

To offend, discountenanc'd both, and discom

pos’d : Love was not in their looks, either to God Or to each other; but apparent guilt, And shame, and perturbation, and despair, Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile: Whence Adam, fault'ring long, thus answer'd

brief:

115 I heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice Afraid, being naked, hid myself. – To whom The gracious Judge without revile reply'd., My voice thou oft haft heard, and hast not

fear'd, But still rejoic'd: how is it now become 120 So dreadful to thee ? That thou art naked,

who Had told thee? Hast thou eaten of the tree, Whereof I gave thee charge, thou should not

cat?

To whom thus Adam sore beset reply'd, O Heav'n! in evil ftrait this day. I stand 125 Before my Judge, either to undergo Myself the total crime, or to accnse My other felf, the partner of my life: Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, I should conceal, and not expose to blame 130 By my complaint. But strict necessity Subdues me,

and calamitous constraint! Left on my head. both sin and punishment,