From all his alimental recompenfe,
In humid exhalations; and at ev'n
Sups with the ocean. Though in Heav'n the trees
Of life ambrofial fruitage bear, and vines
Yield Nectar; though from off the boughs each morn
We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground
Cover'd with pearly grain: yet God hath here 430
Varied his bounty so with new delights,
As may compare with Heaven; and to taste
Think not I shall be nice. --- So down theytt,
And to their viands fell, nor feemingly
The Angel, nor in mift, (the common gloss 435
Of Theologians) but with keen dispatch
Of real hunger, and concoctive heat
To transubstantiate: what redounds, transpires
Through spirits with ease, nor wonder; if by fire
Of footy coal the empiric alchymist
Can turn, or holds it possible to turn,
Metals of droffiest ore to perfect Gold,
As from the mine. Mean while at table EVE
Minifter'd naked, and their flowing cups
With pleasant liquors crown'd. O innocence
Deserving Paradise! if ever, then,
Then had the fons of God excuse t'have been
Enamor'd at that fight: but in those hearts
Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealoufie
Was understood, the injur'd lover's hell.
Thus when with meats and drinks they had fuffic'd,
Not burden'd nature, sudden mind arose
In ADAM, not to let th' occafion pass,
Giv'n him by this great conference, to know
Of things above this world, and of their being 455
Who dwell in Heav'n: whose excellence he saw
Transcend his own so far, whose radiant forms,
Divine effulgence! whose high pow'r, so far
Exceeded human; and his wary speech
Thus to th' empyreal minifter he fram'd.
Inhabitant with Gop! now know I well Thy favor, in this honor done to man; Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsaf'd To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, Food not of Angels, yet accepted so, As that more willingly thou couldst not feem At Heav'n's high feasts t' have fed: yet what compare?
To whom the winged Hierarch reply'd.
O ADAM! One Almighty is, from whom
All things proceed, and up to him return,
If not deprav'd from good, created all
Such to perfection, one first matter all,
Indu'd with various forms, various degrees
Of substance, and in things that live, of life;
But more refin'd, more spiritous, and pure,
As nearer to him plac'd, or nearer tending,
Each in their several active sphears affign'd;
Till body up to spirit work, in bounds
Proportion'd to each kind. So, from the root
Springs lighter the green stalk; from thence the leaves
More aery; last, the bright confummate flow'r 48
Spirits odorous breathes; flow'rs, and their fruit,
(Man's nourishment) by gradual scale fublim'd,
To vital spirits aspire, to animal,
To intellectual; give both life and sense,
Fancy and understanding; whence the foul
Reason receives; and reason is her being,
Difcoursive, or intuitive; discourse
Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours;
Diff'ring but in degree, of kind the fame.
Wonder not then, what God for you saw good
If I refuse not, but convert, as you,
To proper substance. Time may come, when men
With Angels may participate, and find
No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare:
And from these corporal nutriments, perhaps,
Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit,
Improv'd by tract of time; and wing'd afcend
Ethereal, as we; or may at choice,
Here, or in heav'nly Paradises dwell;
IF YE RE FOUND OBEDIENT, and retain
Unalterably firm his love entire,
Whose progeny you are. Mean while, enjoy
Your fill what happiness this happy state
Can comprehend, incapable of more.
To whom the patriarch of mankind reply'd:
O favorable spirit, propitious guest!
Well haft thou taught the way that might direct
Our knowledge, and the scale of nature fet
From center 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
OBEDIENT? Can we want obedience then
To him or possibly his love defert
Who form'd us from the dust, and plac'd us here,
Full to the utmost measure of what bliss
Human defires can seek, or apprehend?
To whom the Angel. Son of heav'n and earth, Attend! That thou art happy, owe to GoD: 520 That thou continu'st such, owe to thy self, That is, to thy obedience; therein stand. This was that caution giv'n thee; he advis'd. Gop made thee perfect, not immutable ; And good he made thee; but to perfevere He left it in thy pow'r, ordain'd thy will By nature free, not over-rul'd by fate
Inextricable, or strict neceffity.
Our voluntary service he requires,
Not our neceffitated; such with him
Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how
Can hearts, not free, be try'd whether they ferve
Willing or no, who will but what they must
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