THE ARGUMENT. Raphael at the request of Adam relates how and wherefore this world was first created; that God, after the expelling of Satan and his Angels out of Heaven, declar'd his pleafure to create another world and other creatures to dwell therein; fends his Son with glory and attendence of Angels to perform the work of creation in fix days: the Angels celebrate with hymns the performance thereof, and his rea-fcenfion into Heaven. PARADISE LOST. D BOOK VII. ESCEND from Heav'n, Urania, by that name If rightly thou art call'd, whose voice divine The meaning, not the name I call: for thou Left, from this flying fteed unrein'd, (as once 5 15 20 Half yet remains unfung, but narrower bound Within the visible diurnal sphere; Standing on earth, not rapt above the pole, Of that wild rout that tore the Thracian bard Say Goddess, what ensued when Raphaël, Charg'd not to touch the interdicted tree, If they tranfgrefs, and flight that fole command, So easily obey'd,amid the choice Of all tastes else to please their appetite, 25 30 35 40 45 Though Though wand'ring. He, with his conforted Eve, 50 The story heard attentive; and was fill'd With admiration and deep muse, to hear Of things fo high and strange; things to their thought So unimaginable as hate in Heaven, And war,fo near the peace of God in blifs, 55 With fuch confusion: but the evil foon Driv'n back redounded as a flood on those From whom it fprung, impoffible to mix 60 With blessednefs. Whence Adam foon repeal'd 65 Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, 70 Far differing from this world, thou haft reveal'd, Divine interpreter, by favor fent Down from the empyréan to forewarn Us timely of what might else have been our loss, Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach: 75 For which to th' infinitely Good we owe Immortal thanks, and his admonishment Receive |