Repairing where he judg’d them, prostrate fell
Before him, reverent, and both confess'd
Humbly their faults,and pardon begg’d, with tears
Wat’ring the ground, and with their sighs the air
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow'unfeign’d, and humiliation meek.

THE ARGUMENT.

The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of

our first parents, now repenting, and intercedes for them : God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide' in Paradise ; sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them ; but first to reveal to Adam future things : Michael's coming down. Adam shews to Eve certain ominous signs ; he discerns Michael's approach ; goes out to meet bim : the Angel denounces their depar

Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits : The Angel leads him up to a high bill ; sets before him in vision wbat shall bappen till the flood.

!

ture.

HUS they in lowliest plight, repentant, stood
Praying ; for from the

mercy-seat

above Prevenient grace descending, had remov'd The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breath'd Unutterable, which the Sp’rit of pray’r 6 Inspir’d, and wing'd for Heav'n with speedier flight Than loudest oratory: yet their port Not of mean suitors, nor important less Seem'd their petition than when th' ancient pair In fables old, less ancient yet than these, Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine Of Themis stood devout. To Heav'n their pray’rs Flew up; nor miss'd the way, by envious winds Blown vagabond or frustrate. In they pass'd 16 Dimensionless, thro' heav'nly doors ; then clad With incense, where the golden altar fum’d,

II