In Paradife to ADAM or his race,
(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 taftes elfe to please their appetite,
Though wand'ring. He, with his conforted Eve,
The story heard attentive, and was fill'd
With admiration, and deep mufe, to hear
Of things fo high & ftrange; things to their thought
So unimaginable, as hate in Heav'n,
And war fo near the peace, of GOD in blifs,
With fuch confufion: but the evil foon,
Driv'n back, redounded, as a flood, on those
From whom it fprung; impoffible to mix
With bleffednefs. Whence A DAM foon repeal'd
The doubts that in his heart arofe: and now
Led on, yet finlefs, with defire to know
What nearer might concern him, how this world
Of heav'n and earth confpicuous firft began;
When, and whereof created; for what caufe;
What within EDEN, or without, was done
Before his memory (as one whofe drouth
Yet fcarce allay'd, ftill eyes the current ftream,
Whofe liquid murmur heard, new thirst exites.)
Proceeded thus to ask his heav'nly guest.
Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, 70 Far diff'ring from this world, thou haft reveal'd, Divine interpreter! by favor fent
Down from the empyrean, to forewarn
Us timely of what might elfe have been our lofs
Unknown; which human knowledge could not reach:
For which to th' Infinitely Good we owe
Immortal thanks, and his admonishment
Receive, with folemn purpofe to obferve
Immutably his fovereign will, the end.
Of what we are. But fince thou haft vouchfaf'd 80
Gently, for our inftruction, to impart
Things above earthly thought (which yet concern'd
Our knowing, as to highest Wisdom feem'd)
Deign to defcend now lower, and relate
(What may no less perhaps avail us known)
How firft began this heav'n, which we behold
Diftant fo high, with moving fires adorn'd
Innumerable; and this which yields or fills
All space, the ambient air wide interfus'd,
Imbracing round this florid earth; what cause
Mov'd the Creator, in his holy reft
Through all eternity, fo late to build
In CHAOS; and the work begun, how foon
Abfolv'd, if unforbid thou may'st unfold
What we, not to explore the fecrets ask
Of his eternal empire, but the more
To magnify his works, the more we know.
And the great light of day yet wants to run
Much of his race, though iteep, fufpenfe in heav'n
Held by thy voice; thy potent voice he hears, 100
And longer will delay, to hear thee tell
His generation, and the rifing birth.
Of nature from the unapparent Deep:
Or if the ftar of ev'ning, and the moon
Hafte to thy audience, night with her will bring 105
Silence; and fleep, lift'ning to thee, will watch;
Or we can bid his abfence, 'till thy fong
End, and difmifs thee e're the morning fhine.
Thus ADAM his illuftrious gueft befought;
And thus the Godlike Angel answer'd mild.
This alfo thy requeft, with caution ask'd, Obtain though to recount almighty works, What words, or tongue of Seraph, can fuffice! Or heart of man fuffice to comprehend!
Yet what thou can't attain, (which beft may ferve 115 To glorify the Maker, and infer
Thee alfo happier) fhall not be with-held
Thy hearing: fuch commiffion from above
I have receiv'd, to answer thy defire
Of knowledge within bounds: beyond abftain
To ask, nor let thine own inventions hope
Things not reveal'd, which th' invifible King,
Only omnifcient, hath fuppreft in night;
To none communicable in earth or heav'n:
Enough is left befides to fearch and know.
But knowledge is as food, and needs no lefs
Her temperance over appetite, to know
In measure what the mind may well contain;
Oppreffes elfe with furfeit, and foon turns
Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind.
Know then, that after LUCIFER from Heav'n (So call him, brighter once amidit the hoft Of Angels, than that ftar the stars among) Fell with his flaming legions through the deep Into his place, and the great Son return'd Victorious with his Saints, th' Omnipotent Eternal FATHER from his throne beheld Their multitude, and to his SON thus fpake.
At least our envious foe hath fail'd, who thought All like himself rebellious, by whofe aid This inacceffible high ftrength, the feat
Of Deity fupreme, (us difpoffeft)
He trufled to have feis'd, and into fraud
Drew many, whom their place knows here no more:
Yet far the greater part have kept, I fee,
Their ftation; Heav'n, yet populous, retains
Number fufficient to poffefs her realms,
Though wide; and this high temple to frequent
With minifteries due and folemn rites.
But left his heart exalt him in the harm
Already done, to have difpeopled Heav'n,
(My damage fondly deem'd!) I can repair That detriment, if fuch it be, to lose
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