Crocus, and hyacinth, with rich inlay
Broider'd theground, more colour'd than with stone
Of costliest emblem: other creatures here,
Bird, beast, insect, or worm, durst enter none,
Such was their awe of man. In shadier bower
More sacred and sequester'd, though but feign'd,
Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor nymph
Nor Faunus haunted. Here, in close recess,
With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs,
Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed;
And heavenly quires the hymenean sung,
What day the genial angel to our sire
Brought her, in naked beauty more adorn'd,
More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods
Endow'd with all their gifts; and O! too like
In sad event, when to the unwiser son
Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnar'd
Mankind with her fair looks, to be aveng'd
On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.

Thus, at their shady lodge arriv'd, both stood,
Both turn'd, and under open sky ador'd (heave
The God that made both sky, air, earth, an
Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe,
And starry pole: "Thou also mad'st the night,
Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day,
Which we, in our appointed work employ'd,
Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help
And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss
Ordain'd by thee; and this delicious place
For us too large, where thy abundance wants
Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.
But thou hast promis'd from us two a race
To fill the earth, who shall with us extol
Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,
And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep."
This said unanimous, and other rites

Observing none, but adoration pure
Which God likes best, into their inmost bower
Handed they went; and, eas'd the putting off

These troablesome disguises which we wear, Straight side by side were laid; nor turn'd, I ween. Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites

Mysterious of connubial love refus'd: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. Our Maker bids increase; who bids abstain But our destroyer, foe to God and man? Hail, wedded Love, mysterious law, true source Of human offspring, sole propriety In Paradise, of all things common else! By thee adulterous lust was driven from men Among the bestial herds to range; by thee Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, son, and brother, first were known. Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, Whose bed is undefil'd and chaste pronounc'd, Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs us'd.. Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings, Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd, Casual fruition; nor in court amours, Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, Or serenate, which the starv'd lover sings To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept, And on their naked limbs the flowery roofalt Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on, Blest pair; and O! yet happiest, if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no more.

Now had night measur'd with her shadowy cone Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the cherubim,

Forth issuing at the accustom'd hour, stood arm'd To their night-watches in warlike parade; When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake

"Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south With strictest watch; these other wheel the north: Our circuit meets full west." As flame they part, Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear From these, two strong and subtile spirits he called That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge: " Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing'd speed Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no

nook;

But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge,
Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm.
This evening from the sun's decline arriv'd,
Who tells of some infernal spirit seen
[escap'd
Hitherward bent (who could have thought?)
The bars of hell, on errand bad no doubt :
Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring."
So saying, on he led his radiant files,
Dazzling the moon; these to the bower direct
In search of whom they sought; him there they
Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, [found
Assaying by his devilish arts to reach

4

The organs of her fancy, and with them forge
Illusions, as he list, phantasms and dreams;
Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint
The animal spirits, that from pure blood arise
Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise
At least distemper'd, discontented thoughts,
Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires,
Blown up with high conceits engendering pride.
Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear
Touch'd lightly; for no falsehood can endure
'Touch of celestial temper, but returns
Of force to its own likeness; up he starts
Discover'd and surpris'd. As when a spark
Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid
Fit for the tun, some magazine to store

1

Against a rumour'd war, the smutty grain,
With sudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the air:
So started up in his own shape the Fiend.
Back stept those two fair angels, half amaz'd
So sudden to behold the grisly king;
Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accost him soon,
"Which of those rebel spirits adjudg'd to hell
Comest thou, escap'd thy prison? and transform'd,
Why satt'st thou like an enemy in wait,
Here watching at the head of these that sleep ?"

"Know ye not then," said Satan, fill'd with

scorn:

"Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate
For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar:
Not to know me, argues yourselves unknown,
The lowest of your throng; or, if ye know,
Why ask ye, and superfluous begin
Your message, like to end as much in vain ?"

To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with

scorn:

"Think not, revolted spirit, thy shape the same,
Or undiminish'd brightness to be known,
As when thou stood'st in heaven upright and pure
That glory then, when thou no more wast good,
Departed from thee and thou resemblest now
Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul.
But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give accoun
To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep
This place inviolable, and these from harm."

So spake the cherub; and his grave rebuke
Severe in youthful beauty, added grace
Invincible: abash'd the Devil stood,
And felt how awful goodness is, and saw
Virtue in her shape how lovely; saw, and pin'd
His loss; but chiefly to find here observ'd
His lustre visibly impair'd; yet seem'd..
Undaunted. "If I must contend," said he,
"Best with the best, the sender, not the sent,
Or all at once more plory will be won.

Or less be lost." "Thy fear," said Zephen boid "Will save us trial what the least can do. Single against thee wicked, and thence weak."

The Fiend replied not, overcome with rage; But like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb: to strive or fly He held it vain; awe from above had quell'd His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding

guards

Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd, Awaiting next command. To whom their chief, Gabriel, from the front thus call'd aloud :

"O friends! I hear the tread of nimble feet Hastening this way, and now by glimpse discern Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade; And with them comes a third of regal port, But faded splendour wan; who by his gait And fierce demeanour seems the prince of hell, Not likely to part hence without contest; Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours."

He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How busied, in what form and posture couch'd. To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake: "Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds pre

scrib'd

To thy transgressions, and disturb'd the charge
Of others, who approve not to transgress
By thy example, but have power and right
To question thy bold entrance on this place;
Employ'd, it seems, to violate sleep, and those
Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?"

To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow : "Gabriel, thou hadst in heaven the esteem of wise,

And such I held thee; but this question ask'd Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell,