" then

Choicest and best ; then, sacrificing, laid

The image of God in Man, created once The inwards and their fat, with incense strow'd, So goodly and erect, though faulty since, On the cleft wood, and all due rites perform'd : To such unsightly sufferings be debas'd His offering soon propitious fire from Heaven Under inhuman pains ? Why should not Man, Consum'd with nimble glance, and grateful steam; Retaining still divine similitude The other's not, for his was not sincere ;

In part, from such defornities be free, Whereat he inly rag'd, and, as they talk'd,

And, for his Maker's image sake, exempt?' Smote him into the midriff with a stone

“ Their Maker's image,” answer'd Michael, That beat out life ! he fell; and, deadly pale, Groan'd out his soul with gushing blood effus'd. Forsook them, when themselves they vilified Much at that sight was Adam in his heart To serve ungovern'd Appetite; and took Dismay'd, and thus in haste to the angel cried. His image whom they serv'd, a brutish vice,

“ O teacher, some great mischief hath befall'n Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve. To that meek man, who well had sacrific'd ; Therefore so abject is their punishment, Is piety thus and pure devotion paid ?"

Disfiguring not God's likeness, but their own; To whom Michael thus, he also mov'd, replied. Or if his likeness, by themselves defac'd; “ These two are brethren, Adam, and to come While they pervert pure Nature's healthful rules Out of thy loins; the unjust the just hath slain, To loathsome sickness ; worthily, since they For envy that his brother's offering found

God's image did not reverence in themselves." From Heaven acceptance; but the bloody fact “ I yield it just,” said Adam, “and submit. Will be aveng'd; and the other's faith, approv'd, But is there yet no other way, besides Lose no reward; though here thou see him die, These painful passages, how we may come Rolling in dust and gore." To which our sire. To death, and mix with our connatural dust ?"

“ Alas! both for the deed, and for the cause ! “ There is," said Michael, “ if thou well observe But have I now seen Death ? Is this the way The rule of Not too much ; by temperance taught, I must return to native dust? O sight

In what thou eat'st and drink'st ; seeking from Of terrour, foul and ugly to behold,

thence Horrid to think, how horrible to feel !"

Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight, To whom thus Michael. “ Death thou hast seen Till many years over thy head return : In his first shape on Man; but many shapes So may'st thou live; till, like ripe fruit, thou drop Of Death, and many are the ways that lead Into thy mother's lap; or be with ease To his grim cave, all dismal ; yet to sense

Gather'd, not harshly pluck'd; for death mature: More terrible at the entrance, than within.

This is Old Age ; but then, thou must outlive Some, as thou saw'st, by violent stroke shall die ; Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty ; which will By fire, flood, famine, by intemperance more

change In meats and drinks, which on the Earth shall bring To wither’d, weak, and gray ; thy senses then, Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew

Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forego, Before thee shall appear ; that thou may'st know To what thou hast; and, for the air of youth, What misery the inabstinence of Eve

Hopeful and cheerful in thy blood will reign
Shall bring on men.” Immediately a place A melancholy damp of cold and dry
Before his eyes appear'd, sad, noisome, dark; To weigh thy spirits down, and last consumo
A lazar-house it seem'd; wherein were laid

The balm of life.” To whom our ancestor.
Numbers of all diseas'd : all maladies

“ Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong Of ghastly spasm, or racking torture, qualms Life much; bent rather, how I may be quit, Of heart-sick agony, all feverous kinds,

Fairest and easiest of this cumbrous charge; Convulsions, epilepsies, fierce catarrhs,

Which I must keep till my appointed day Intestine stone and ulcer, colic-pangs,

Of rendering up, and patiently attend Demoniac phrensy, moping melancholy,

My dissolution." Michael replied. [liv’st, And moon-struck madness, pining atrophy,

“ Nor love thy life, nor hate ; but what thou Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence,

Live well ; how long, or short, permit to Heaven: Dropsies, and asthmas, and joint-racking rheums. And now prepare thee for another sight.”. Dire was the tossing, deep the groans; Despair He look’d, and saw a spacious plain, whereon Tended the sick busiest from couch to couch ; Were tents of various hue ; by some, were herds And over them triumphant Death his dart Of cattle grazing; others, whence the sound Shook, but delay'd to strike, though oft invok'd Of instruments, that made melodious chime, With vows, as their chief good, and final hope. Was heard, of harp and organ ; and, who mov'd Sight so deform what heart of rock could long Their stops and chords, was seen ; his volant touch, Dry-ey'd behold? Adam could not, but wept, Instinct through all proportions, low and high, Though not of woman born; compassion quell'd Fled and pursued transverse the resonant fugue. His best of man, and gave him up to tears In other part stood one who, at the forge A space, till firmer thoughts restrain'd excess ; Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass And, scarce recovering words, his plaint renew'd. Had melted, (whether found where casual fire “ () miserable mankind, to what fall

Had wasted woods on mountain or in vale, Degraded, to what wretched state reserv'd ! Down to the veins of Earth ; thence gliding hot Better end here unborn. Why is life given To some cave's mouth; or whether wash'd by stream To be thus wrested from us? rather, why

From underground ;) the liquid ore he drain'd Obtruded on us thus? who, if we knew

Into fit moulds prepar’d; from which he form'd What we receive, would either not accept

First his own tools ; then, what might else be Life offer'd, or soon beg to lay it down;

wrought Glad to be so dismiss'd in peace. Can tbus Fusil or graven in metal. After these,

But on the hither side, a different sort (seat, | Giants of mighty bone, and bold emprise ;
From the high neighbouring hills, which was their Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed,
Down to the plain descended; by their guise Single or in array of battle rang'd
Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood
To worship God aright, and know his works One way a band select from forage drives
Not hid; nor those things last, which might preserve A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine,
Freedom and peace to men : they on the plain From a fat meadow ground; or fleecy flock,
Long had not walk'd, when from the tents, behold! Ewes and their bleating lambs over the plain,
A bevy of fair women, richly gay

Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds fly,
In gems and wanton dress; to the harý they sung But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray;
Soft amorous ditties, and in dance caine on: With cruel tournament the squadrons join;
The men, though grave, ey'd them; and let their Where cattle pastur'd late, now scatter'd lies
eyes

With carcasses and arms the ensanguin'd field,
Rove without rein ; till, in the amorous net Deserted : others to a city strong
Fast caught, they lík'd; and each his liking chose ; Lay siege, encamp'd; by battery, scale, and mine,
And now of love they treat, till the evening-star, Assaulting; others from the wall defend
Love's harbinger, appear'd; then, all in heat With dart and javelin, stones, and sulphurous fire;
They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke On each hand slaughter, and gigantic deeds.
Hymen, then first to marriage rites invok'd : In other part the scepter'd heralds call
With feast and music all the tents resound.

To council, in the city-gates; anon Such happy interview, and fair event

Gray-headed men and grave, with warriours mix'd, Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flowers, Assemble, and harangues are heard; but soon, And charming symphonies, attach'd the heart In factious opposition; till at last, Of Adam, soon inclin'd to admit delight,

Of middle age one rising, eminent
The bent of nature; which he thus express'd. In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong,

“ True opener of mine eyes, prime angel blest ; Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace,
Much better seems this vision, and more hope And judgment from above : him old and young
Of peaceful days portends, than those two past; Exploded, and had seiz'd with violent hands;
Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse ; Had not a cloud descending snatch'd him thence
Here Nature seems fulfill'd in all her ends." Unseen amid the throng : so violence

To whom thus Michael. “ Judge not what is best Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law,
By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet; Through all the plain, and refuge none was found.
Created, as thou art, to nobler end

Adam was all in tears, and to his guide Holy and pure, conformity divine.

Lamenting turn'd full sad: “O! what are these, Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant, were the tents Death's ministers, not men ? who thus deal death Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race Inhumanly to men, and multiply Who slew his brother ; studious they appear Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slew Of arts that polish life, inventers rare ;

Ilis brother : for of whom such massacre Unmindful of their Maker, though his spirit Make they, but of their brethren ; men of men ? Taught them ; but they his gifts acknowledg'd But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven

Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost ?" Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget;

To whom thus Michael. “ These are the product For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that seemd Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw'st; (selves Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay, Where good with bad were match'd, who of them. Yet empty of all good wherein consists

Abhor to join ; and, by imprudence mix’d, Woman's domestic honour and chief praise ; Produce prodigious births of body or mind. Bred only and completed to the taste

Such were these giants, men of high renown;
Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance,

For in those days might only shall be admir'd,
To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye. And valour and heroic virtue callid;
To these that sober race of men, whose lives To overcome in battle, and subdue
Religious titled them the sons of God,

Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite
Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch
Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles

Of human glory; and for glory done
Of these fair atheists; and now swim in joy, Of triumph, to be styl'd great conquerors,
Ere long to swim at large ; and laugh, for which Patrons of mankind, gods and sons of gods;
The world ere long a world of tears must weep." Destroyers rightlier call’d, and plagues of men.

To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft. Thus fame shall be achiev'd, renown on Earth; “O pity and shame, that they, who to live well And what most merits fame, in silence hid. Enter'd so fair, should turn aside to tread

But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou beheldst Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint !

The only righteous in a world perverse, But still I sce the tenour of man's woe

And therefore ated, therefore so beset Holds on the same, from woman to begin." With foes, for daring single to be just,

“ From man's effeminate slackness it begins," And utter odious truth, that God would come Said the angel, “who should better hold his place To judge them with his saints: him the Most High By wisdom, and superior gifts receiv'd.

Rapt in a balmy cloud with winged steeds
But now prepare thee for another scene.

Did, as thou saw'st, receive, to walk with God
He look'd, and saw wide territory spread High in salvation and the climes of bliss,
Before him, towns, and rural works between; Exempt from death; to show thee what reward
Cities of inen with lofty gates and towers,

Awaits the good : the rest what punishment;
Concourse in arms, fierce faces threatening war, Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold."

none.

He look'd, and saw the face of things quite When violence was ceas'd, and war on Earth, chang’d;

All would have then gone well ; peace would have The brazen throat of war had ceas'd to roar

crown'd All now was turn'd to jollity and game,

With length of happy days the race of Manj To luxury and riot, feast and dance ;

But I was far deceived; for now I see Marrying or prostituting, as befell,

Peace to corrupt no less than war to waste. Rape or adultery, where passing fair

How comes it thus? unfold, celestial guide, Allur'd them; thence from cups to civil broils. And whether here the race of Man will end.' At length a reverend sire among them came,

To whom thus Michael. “ Those, whom last And of their doings great dislike declar'd

thou saw'st And testified against their ways; he oft

In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they Frequented their assemblies, whereso met,

First seen in acts of prowess eminent Triumphs or festivals; and to them preach'd And great exploits, but of true virtue void ; Conversion and repentance, as to souls

Who, having spilt much blood, and done much waste In prison, under judgments imminent :

Subduing nations, and achiev'd thereby But all in vain: which when he saw, he ceas'd Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey; Contending, and remov'd his tents far off:

Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth, Then, from the mountain hewing timber tall, Surfoit, and lust; till wantonness and pride Began to build a vessel of huge bulk ;

Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace. Measur'd by cubit, length, and breadth, and height; The conquer'd also, and enslav'd by war, Smear'd round with pitch ; and in the side a door Shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose Contriv'd; and of provisions laid in large,

And fear of God; from'whom their piety feign'd For man and beast : when lo, a wonder strange! In sharp contést of battle found no aid Of every beast, and bird, and insect small, Against invaders; therefore, cool'd in zeal, Came sevens and pairs; and enter'd in as taught Thenceforth shall practise how to live secure, Their order : last the sire and his three sons, Worldly or dissolute, on what their lords With their four wives; and God made fast the door. Shall leave them to enjoy; for the Earth shall bear Meanwhile the south-wind rose, and, with black More than enough, that temperance may be tried : wings

So all shall turn degenerate, all deprav'd ; Wide-hovering, all the clouds together drove Justice and temperance, truth and faith, forgot ; From under Heaven; the hills to their supply One man except, the only son of light Vapour, and exhalation dusk and moist,

In a dark age, against example good, Sent up amain ; and now the thicken'd sky

Against allurement, custom, and a world
Like a dark ceiling stood ; down rush'd the rain Offended : fearless of reproach and scorn,
Impetuous; and continued, till the Earth

Or violence, he of their wicked ways
No more was seen : the floating vessel swum Shall them admonish ; and before them set
Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow

The paths of righteousness, how much more safe
Rode tilting o'er the waves; all dwellings else And full of peace ; denouncing wrath to come
Flood overwhelm'd, and them with all their pomp On their impenitence; and shall return
Deep under water roll'd; sea cover'd sea,

Of them derided, but of God observ'd
Sea without shore; and in their palaces,

The one just man alive; by his command
Where luxury late reign’d, sea-monsters whelp'd Shall build a wondrous ark, as thou beheldst,
And stabled; of mankind, so numerous late, To save himself, and household, from amidst
All left, in one small bottom swum imbark'd. A world devote to universal wrack.
How didst thou grieve, then, Adam, to behold No sooner he, with them of man and beast
The end of all thy offspring, end so sad,

Select for life, shall in the ark be lodg'd,
Depopulation! Thee another flood,

And shelter'd round; but all the cataracts Of tears and sorrow a flood, thee also drown'd, Of Heaven set open on the Earth shall pour And sunk thee as thy sons ; till, gently rear'd Rain, day and night ; all fountains of the deep, By the angel, on thy feet thou stood’st at last ; Broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp Though comfortless; as when a father mourns Beyond all bounds; till inundation rise His children, all in view destroy'd at once; Above the highest hills : then shall this mount And scarce to the angel utter'dst thus thy plaint. Of Paradise by might of waves be mov'd “O visions ill foreseen! better had I

Out of his place, push'd by the horned flood, Liv'd ignorant of future! so had borne

With all his verdure spoil'd, and trees adrift, My part of evil only, each day's lot

Down the great river to the opening gulf, Enough to bear ; those now, that were dispens'd And there take root an island salt and bare, The burden of many ages, on me light

The haunt of seals, and orcs, and sea-mews' clang:
At once, by my foreknowledge gaining birth To teach thee that God attributes to place
Abortive, to torment me ere their being,

No sanctity, if none be thither brought
With thought that they must be. Let no man seek By men who there frequent, or therein dwell.
Henceforth to be foretold, what shall befall

And now, what further shall ensue, behold."
Him or his children ; evil he may be sure,

He look'd, and saw the ark hull on the flood, Which neither his foreknowing can prevent ;

diWhich now abated; for the clouds were fied, And he the future evil shall no less

Driven by a keen north-wind, that, blowing dry, In apprehension than in substance feel,

Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd ; Grievous to bear : but that care now is past, And the clear Sun on his wide watery glass Man is not whom to warn : those few escap'd Gaz'd hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew, Famine and anguislı will at last consume,

As after thirst; which made their flowing shrink Wandering that watery desert: I had hope From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole

With soft foot towards the deep; who now had stopt lations and promises, descends the hill with His sluices, as the Heaven his windows shut.

Michael ; wakens Eve, who all this while bed The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground, slept, but with gentle dreams composed to quiet Fast on the top of some high mountain fix'd.

ness of mind and submission. Michael in either And now the tops of hills, as rocks, appear ;

hand leads them out of Paradise, the fiery sware With clamour thence the rapid currents drive, waving behind them, and the Cherubim taking Towards the retreating sea, their furious tide. their stations to guard the place. Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies, And after him, the surer messenger,

As one who in his journey bates at noon, A dove sent forth once and again to spy

Though bent on speed; so here the arch-angel Green tree or ground, whereon his foot may light :

paus'd The second time returning, in his bill

Betwixt the world destroy'd and world restor'd, An olive-leaf he brings, pacific sign :

If Adam aught perhaps might interpose; Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark Then, with transition sweet, new speech resumes The ancient sire descends, with all his train :

“ Thus thou hast seen one world begin, and end; Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, And Man, as from a second stock, proceed. Grateful to Heaven, over his head beholds

Much thou hast yet to see; but I perceive A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow

Thy mortal sight to fail : objects divine Conspicuous with three listed colours gay,

Must needs impair and weary human sense : Betokening peace from God, and covenant new. Henceforth what is to come I will relate ; Whereat the heart of Adam, erst so sad,

Thou therefore give due audience, and attend. Greatly rejoic'd; and thus his joy broke forth. “ This second source of men, while yet but few,

“ O thou, who future things canst represent And while the dread of judgment past remains As present, heavenly 'instructor! I revive

Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity,
At this last sight; assur'd that Man shall live, With some regard to what is just and right
With all the creatures, and their seed preserve. Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace;
Far less I now lament for one whole world

Labouring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop, Of wicked sons destroy'd, than I rejoice

Corn, wine, and oil; and, from the herd or flock, For one man found so perfect, and so just, Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid, That God vouchsafes to raise another world With large wine-offerings pour'd, and sacred feast, From hiin, and all his anger to forget. [Heaven Shall spend their days in joy unblam'd; and dwell But say, what mean those colour'd streaks in Long time in peace, by families and tribes, Distended, as the brow of God appeas'd ?

Under paternal rule: till one shall rise Or serve they, as a flowery verge, to bind

Of proud ambitious heart ; who, not content
The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud,

With fair equality, fraternal state,
Lest it again dissolve, and shower the Earth ?” Will arrogate dominion undeserv'd
To whom the arch-angel. “ Dextrously thou Over his brethren, and quite dispossess
aim'st;

Concord and law of nature from the Earth ;
So willingly doth God remit his ire,

Hunting (and men not beasts shall be his game) Though late repenting him of Man deprav'd; With war, and hostile snare, such as refuse Griev'd at his heart, when looking down he saw Subjection to his empire tyrannous: The whole Earth fill’d with violence, and all flesh A mighty hunter thence he shall be styl'd Corrupting each their way ; yet, those remov'd, Before the Lord; as in despite of Heaven, Such grace shall one just man find in his sight, Or from Heaven, claiming second sovranty ; That he relents, not to blot out mankind;

And from rebellion shall derive his name, And makes a covenant never to destroy

Though of rebellion others he accuse. The Earth again by flood; nor let the sea

He with a crew, whom like ambition joins Surpass his bounds; nor rain to drown the world, With him or under him to tyrannize, With man therein or beast; but, when he brings Marching from Eden towards the west, shall find Over the Earth a cloud, will therein set

The plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge His triple-colour'd bow, whereon to look,

Boils out from under ground, the mouth of Hell:
And call to mind his covenant : day and night, Of brick, and of that stuff, they cast to build
Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost, A city and tower, whose top may reach to Heaven;
Shall hold their course; till fire purge all things new, And get themselves a name; lest, far dispers'd
Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall In foreign lands, their memory be lost ;
dwell."

Regardless whether good or evil fame.
But God, who oft descends to visit men

Unseen, and through their habitations walks
Book XII.

To mark their doings, them beholding soon,

Comes down to see their city, ere the tower
The Argument.

Obstruct Heaven-towers; and in derision sets

Upon their tongues a various spirit, to rase The angel Michael continues, from the flood, to Quite out their native language ; and, instead,

relate what shall succeed ; then, in the mention To sow a jangling noise of words unknown :
of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain, who Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud,
that seed of the woman shall

be, which was pro- | Among the builders ; each to other calls mised Adam and Eve in the Fall; his incarnation, Not understood; till hoarse, and all in rage, death, resurrection, and ascension ; the state of As mock'd they storm : great laughter was in the church till his second coming. Adam,

Heaven, greatly satisfied and recomforted by these re- | And looking down, to see the hubbub strange,

And hear the din : thus was the building left To Haran; after him a cumbrous train Ridiculous, and the work Confusion nam'd." Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude ;

Whereto thus Adam, fatherly displeas'd. Not wandering poor, but trusting all his wealth « O execrable son ! so to aspire

With God, who call'd him, in a land unknown. Above his brethren ; to himself assuming

Canaan he now attains ; I see his tents Authority usurp'd, from God not given :

Pitch'd about Sechem, and the neighbouring plain He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl,

Of Moreh ; there by promise he receives Dominion absolute; that right we hold

Gift to his progeny of all that land, By his donation ; but man over men

From Hamath northward to the desert south; He made not lord ; such title to himself

(Things by their names I call, though yet unnam’d;) Reserving, human left from human free.

From Hermon east to the great western sea; But this usurper his encroachment proud

Mount Hermon, yonder sea; each place behold Stays not on man ; to God his tower intends In prospect, as I point them ; on the shore Siege and defiance: wretched man! what food Mount Carmel ; here, the double-founted stream, Will he convey up thither, to sustain

Jordan, true limit eastward; but his sons Himself and his rash army; where thin air Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of hills. Above the clouds will pine his entrails gross, This ponder, that all nations of the Earth And famish him of breath, if not of bread ?" Shall in his seed be blessed : by that seed

To whom thus Michael. “ Justly thou abhorr'st is meant thy great Deliverer, who shall bruise That son, who on the quiet state of men

The serpent's head; whereof to thee anon Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue

Plainlier shall be reveal'd. This patriarch blest, Rational liberty ; yet know withal,

Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call, Since thy original lapse, true liberty

A son, and of his son a grand-child, leaves; Is lost, which always with right reason dwells Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown: Twinn'd, and from her hath no dividual being : The grand-child, with twelve sons increas'd, departs Reason in man obscur'd, or not obey'd,

From Canaan, to a land hereafter call'd Immediately inordinate desires,

Egypt, divided by the river Nile; And upstart passions, catch the government See where it flows, disgorging at seven mouths From reason; and to servitude reduce

Into the sea : to sojourn in that land Man, till then free. Therefore, since he permits He comes, invited by a younger son Within himself unworthy powers to reign

In time of dearth ; a son, whose worthy deeds Over free reason, God, in judgment just,

Raise him to be the second in that realm Subjects him from without to violent lords; Of Pharaoh : there he dies, and leaves his race Who oft as undeservedly enthrall

Growing into a nation; and, now grown, His outward freedom : tyranny must be ;

Suspected to a sequent king, who seeks Though to the tyrant thereby no excuse.

To stop their overgrowth, as inmate guests (slaves Yet sometimes nations will decline so low

Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them From virtue, which is reason, that no wrong, Inhospitably, and kills their infant males : But justice, and some fatal curse annex'd, Till by two brethren, (these two brethren cal] Deprives them of their outward liberty;

Moses and Aaron,) sent from God to claim Their inward lost: witness the irreverent son His people from enthralment, they return Of him who built the ark; who, for the shame With glory, and spoil, back to their promis'd land. Done to his father, heard this heavy curse,

But first, the lawless tyrant, who denies Servant of servants, on his vicious race.

To know their God, or message to regard, Thus will this latter, as the former world,

Must be compellid by signs and judgments dire; Still tend from bad to worse ; till God at last, To blood unshed the rivers must be turn'd; Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw

Frogs, lice, and flies, must all his palace fili Ilis presence from among them, and avert

With loath'd intrusion, and fill all the land; His holy eyes; resolving from thenceforth

His cattle must of rot and murren die ; To leave them to their own polluted ways;

Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss, And one peculiar nation to select

And all his people ; thunder mix'd with hail, From all the rest, of whom to be invok'd,

Hail mix'd with fire, must rend the Egyptian sky, A nation from one faithful man to spring: And wheel on the Earth, devouring where it rolls; Him on this side Euphrates yet residing,

What it devours not, herb, or fruit, or grain, Bred up in idol-worship: 0, that men

A darksome cloud of locusts swarming down (Canst thou believe ?) should be so stupid grown, Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green ; While yet the patriarch liv’d, who 'scap'd the flood, Darkness must overshadow all his bounds, As to forsake the living God, and fall

Palpable darkness, and blot out three days; To worship their own work in wood and stone Last, with one midnight-stroke, all the first-born For gods! Yet him God the Most High vouchsafes Of Egypt must lie dead. Thus with ten wounds To call by vision, from his father's house,

The river-dragon tam'd at length submits
His kindred, and false gods, into a land

To let his sojourners depart, and oft
Which he will show him ; and from him will raise Humbles his stubborn heart; but still, as ice
A mighty nation; and upon him shower

More harden'd after thaw; till, in his rage
His benediction so, that in his seed

Pursuing whom he late dismiss'd, the sea All nations shall be blest : he straight obeys; Swallows him with his host ; but them lets pass, Not knowing to what land, yet firm believes : As on dry land, between two crystal walls; I see him, but thou canst not, with what faith Aw'd by the rod of Moses so to stand He leaves his gods, his friends, and native soil, Divided, till his rescued gain their shore : Ur of Chaldæa, passing now the ford

Such wondrous power God to his saint will lend,