Of amplitude almost immense, with stars 620
Numerous, and every star perhaps a world
Of destin'd habitation, but thou know'ft
Their seasons : among these the seat of men,
Earth, with her necher ocean circumfus'd, 624
Their pleasant dwelling-place. Thrice happy men,
And sons of men, whom God hath thus advance'd
Created in his image, there to dwell,
And worship him; and in reward to rule
Over his works, on earth, in fea, or air ;
And multiply a race of worshippers,

630 Holy and just : thrice happy, if they know Their happinefs, and persevere upright.

So fung they, and the empyréan rung, With Hallelujahs : thus was Sabbath kept. And thy request think now fulfill'd, that afk'd How first this world and face of things began, And what before thy memory was done ' From the beginning that pofterity, Inform’d by thee, might know; if else thou seek'st Aught, not surpassing human measure say. 640

635

End of the SEVENTH Book,

2

ARGUMENT of Book VIII.

Hiam inquires concerning celestial motions; is doubtfully

answered, and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of knowledge: Adam alents; and, fill defircus to detain Raphael, relates to him what he remember. ed since his own creation, his placing in Paradise, Bis talk with God concerning solitude and fit fociety, his first meeting and nuptials with Eve; his discourse, with the angel thereupon; who, after admonitions re• peated, departs.

1 'rent 100K VII.

hinnich

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK VIII.

THE angel ended, and in Adam's ear

So charming left his voice, that he a while Thought him ftill speaking, still stood fix'd to hear; Then, as new wak'd, thus gratefully reply'd.

What thanks fufficient, or what recompense
Equal have I to render thee, divine
Historian, who thus largely hast allay'd
The thirf I had of knowledge, and vouchsaf'd
This friendly condescension to relate
Things else by me unsearchable, now heard
With wonder, but delight, and, as is due,
With glory attributed to the High
Creator? Something yet of doubt remains,
Which only thy solution can resolve.

When I behold this goodly frame, this world, is
Of heaven and earth confifting, and compute
Their magnitudes, this earth a spot, a grain,
An atom, with the firmament compar'a,
And all her number'd stars, that seem to roll
Spaces incomprehensible, (for such
Their distance argues, and their swift return
Diurnal), merely to officiate light
Round this opacous earth, this punctual spot,
One day and night, in all their vast survey