Thither he bent his way, determin'd there To reft at noon, and enter'd foon the fhade -High rooft, and walks beneath, and alleys brown, That open'd in the midft a woody fcene; Nature's own work it seem'd (nature taught art) 295 And to a fuperftitious eye the haunt Of Wood-Gods and Wood Nymphs; he view'd it round Not ruftic as before, but feemlier clad, Ant with fair fpeech these words to him address'd. But much more wonder that the Son of God 300 305 Of Ifrael here had famish'd, had not God Twice by a voice inviting him to eat: Of thee these forty days none hath regard, 315 Forty and more deferted here indeed. To whom thus Jefus. What conclud'st thou hence? They all had need, as I thou feeft have none. How haft thou hunger then? Satan reply'd. Tell me if food were now before thee fet. Would't thou not eat? Thereafter as I like The giver, anfwer'd Jefus. Why should that Caufe thy refufal? faid the subtle Fiend. 326 Haft 325 Haft thou not right to all created things? 330 Troubled that thou fhould't hunger, hath purvey'd From all the elements her choiceft ftore To treat thee as befeems, and as her Lord 335 With honor, only deign to fit and eat. 340 345 He fpake no dream, for as his words had end, Our Saviour lifting up his eyes beheld In ample space under the broadeft fhade A table richly fpread, in regal mode, With dishes pil'd, and meats of nobleft fort And favor, beafts of chafe, or fowl of game, In paftry built, or from the fpit, or boil'd, Gris-amber-fteam'd; all fifh from fea or fhore, Frefhet, or purling brook, of fhell or fin, And exquifiteft name, for which was drain'd Pontus, and Lucrine bay, and Afric coaft. Alas how fimple, to thefe cates compar'd, Was that crude apple that diverted Eve! And at a stately fide-board by the wine That fragrant finell diffus'd, in order food Tall ftripling youths rich clad, of fairer hue Than Ganymed or Hylas; diftant more Under the trees now tripp'd, now folemn ftood Nymphs of Diana's train, and Naiades 350 355 With fruits and flow'rs from Amalthea's horn, And And ladies of th' Hefperides, that seemd By knights of Logres, or of Lyones, 360. And all the while harmonious airs were heard From their soft wings, and Flora's earliest finells. 364 What doubts the Son of God to fit and eat? Thefe are not fruits forbidden; no interdict Defends the touching of thefe viands pure; Their tafte no 370 knowledge wworks at leaft of evil, But life preferves, destroys life's enemy, 375 All these are Spi'rits of air, and woods, and fprings, 385 Thy Thy pompous delicacies I contemn, 33 390 And count thy fpecious gifts no gifts, but guiles. To whom thus anfwer'd Satan malecontent. What I might have bestow'd on whom I pleas'd, 395 Chofe to impart to thy apparent need, Why shouldst thou not accept it? but I see Of these things others quickly will dispose, 400 Whofe pains have earn'd the far fet fpoil. With that With found of harpies wings, and talons heard; For no allurement yields to appetite, And all thy heart is fet on high defigns, High actions; but wherewith to be achiev'd? 410 Which way or from what hope dost thou aspire 415 420 Longer than thou canft feed them on thy coft? VOL. II. C What What rais'd Antipater the Edomite, And his fon Herod plac'd on Judah's throne To whom thus Jefus patiently reply'd. 430 435 440 That feat, and reign in Ifrael without end. Among the Heathen, (for throughout the world For I efteem thofe names of men fo poor Accomplish what they did, perhaps and more? 450 The wife man's cumbrance if not fare, more apt To flacken virtue, and abate her edge, 455 Than |