From centre to circumference, whereon, In contemplation of created things, By steps we may ascend to God. But say, What meant that caution join'd, If ye be found To him, or possibly his love desert, 510 515 Who form'd us from the dust, and plac'd us here, Human desires can seek or apprehend?” To whom the Angel. "Son of Heav'n and Earth, 520 525 He left it in thy pow'r; ordain'd thy will By nature free, not over-rul'd by fate 530 Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how Can hearts, not free, be try'd whether they serve Willing or no, who will but what they must By destiny, and can no other choose? Myself and all th' Angelic host, that stand 535 In sight of God enthron'd, our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds ; Because we freely love, as in our will To love or not; in this we stand or fall: 540 And some are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n, And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell; O fall From what high state of bliss into what woe !" 545 Cherubic songs by night from neighb'ring hills Aerial music send: nor knew I not To be both will and deed created free; Yet that we never shall forget to love 550 Assur'd me', and still assure: tho' what thou tell'st Hath pass'd in Heav'n, some doubt within me move, 555 The full relation, which must needs be strange, And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun 560 After short pause assenting, thus began. High matter thou enjoin'st me, O prime of men, Sad task and hard; for how shall I relate To human sense th' invisible exploits 565 Of warring Spirits? how, without remorse, The ruin of so many glorious once, And perfect while they stood? how, last, unfold The secrets of another world, perhaps Not lawful to reveal? yet for thy good 570 This is dispens'd; and what surmounts the reach Of human sense, I shall delineate so, By likening spiritual to corporal forms, 575 As may express them best; tho' what if Earth As Heav'n's great year brings forth, th' empyreal host 580 585 Of Angels, by imperial summons call'd, Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advanc'd, Davant 5go 595 Amidst, as from a flaming mount, whose top "Hear, all ye Angels, progeny of light, 600 Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, Hear my decree, which unrevok'd shall stand. This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son, and on this holy hill 605 And by myself have sworn to him shall bow All knees in Heav'n, and shall confess him Lord: Under his great vicegerent reign abidex United as one individual soul, 610 For ever happy. Him who disobeys, Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day, Cast out from God and blessed vision, falls Into' utter darkness, deep ingulf'd his place "So spake th' Omnipotent, and with his words All seem'd well pleas'd; all seem'd, but were not all. That day, as other solemn days, they spent G 615 620 Of planets and of fix'd in all her wheels Resembles nearest, mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolv'd, yet regular Then most, when most irregular they seem; And in their mótions harmony divine 625 So smoothes her charming tones, that God's own ear Listens delighted. Evening now approach'd (For we have also' our evening and our morn, We ours for change delectable, not need); Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn 630 Tables are set, and on a sudden pil'd With Angel's food, and rubied nectar flows In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold, Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of Heaven. On flow'rs repos'd, and with fresh flow'rets crown'd, a 635 Excess, before th' all-bounteous King, who show'r'd From that high mount of God, whence light and shade By living streams among the trees of life, Celestial tabernacles, where they slept, 640 645 650 Fann'd with cool winds; save those who in their course 655 Melodious hymns about the sov'reign throne Alternate all night long: but not so wak'd: Satan; so call him now, his former name 660 With envy' against the Son of God, that day Thro' pride, that sight, and thought himself impair'd. €65 Deep malice thence conceiving, and disdain, Soou as midnight brought on the dusky hour 670 Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd 66 6 'Sleep'st thou, companion dear; what sleep can close Thy eye-lids? and remember'st what decree Of yesterday, so late hath pass'd the lips. 675 Of Heav'n's Almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts Both waking we were one; how then can now Thy sleep dissent? New laws thou seest impos'd; New laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise 680 What doubtful may ensue: more in this place Of all those myriads which we lead the chief; "So spake the false Archangel, and infus’d 685 690 |