The God that made both sky, air, earth, and heaven, Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe, And starry pole :—“ Thou also madest the Night, Maker Omnipotent; and thou the Day, Which we, in our appointed work employed, Have finished, happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss Ordained by thee; and this delicious place, For us too large, where thy abundance wants Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. But thou hast promised 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, eased the putting-off These troublesome disguises which we wear, Straight side by side were laid; nor turned, I ween, Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refused: 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 undefiled and chaste pronounced, Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs used. 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, unendeared, Casual fruition; nor in court amours,
Mixed dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, Or serenate, which the starved lover sings To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. These, lulled by nightingales, embracing slept, And on their naked limbs the flowery roof Showered roses, which the morn repaired. Sleep on, Blest pair! and, O! yet happiest, if ye seek No happier state, and know to know no more!
Now had Night measured with her shadowy cone Half-way up-hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim
Forth issuing, at the accustomed hour, stood armed 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 subtle Spirits he called That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge :"Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged speed
Search through this Garden; leave unsearched no nook; But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, 790 Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm.
This evening from the Sun's decline arrived
Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen
Hitherward bent (who could have thought?), escaped 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 found Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, Assaying by his devilish art to reach
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 distempered, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, Blown up with high conceits engendering pride. Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear Touched lightly; for no falsehood can endure Touch of celestial temper, but returns Of force to its own likeness. Up he starts, Discovered and surprised. As, when a spark Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid Fit for the tun, some magazine to store Against a rumoured war, the smutty grain, With sudden blaze diffused, inflames the air; So started up, in his own shape, the Fiend. Back stept those two fair Angels, half amazed So sudden to behold the grisly King; Yet thus, unmoved with fear, accost him soon :-
"Which of those rebel Spirits adjudged to Hell Com'st thou, escaped thy prison? and, transformed, Why satt'st thou like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of these that sleep?"
“Know ye not, then,” said Satan, filled 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 undiminished 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 account 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. Abashed the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely-saw, and pined His loss; but chiefly to find here observed His lustre visibly impaired; yet seemed Undaunted. "If I must contend," said he, "Best with the best-the sender, not the sent ; more glory will be won,
"Thy fear," said Zephon bold, "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 reined, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb. To strive or fly He held it vain; awe from above had quelled His heart, not else dismayed. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined, Awaiting next command. To whom their chief, Gabriel, from the front thus called aloud :
"O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet Hasting 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 approached, And brief related whom they brought, where found, How busied, in what form and posture couched. To whom, with stern regard, thus Gabriel spake :— "Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescribed To thy transgressions, and disturbed 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 ; Employed, 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 asked Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain? Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell, Though thither doomed? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt,
And boldly venture to whatever place Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change Torment with ease, and soonest recompense
Dole with delight; which in this place I sought: To thee no reason, who know'st only good,
But evil hast not tried.
His will who bound us?
And wilt object
Let him surer bar
His iron gates, if he intends our stay
In that dark durance. Thus much what was asked: The rest is true; they found me where they say; 900
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