ARGUMENT of Book IV. Satan now in profpect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprise which he undertook alone against God and mañ, falls into many doubts with himself, and many paffions, fear, envy, and despair; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradife, whofe outward profpect and fituation is defcribed, overleaps the bounds, fits in the shape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the garden, to look about him. The garden defcribed; Satan's firft fight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and happy ftate; but with refolution to work their fall; overhears their difcourse, thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his temptation, by feducing them to transgress ; then leaves them a while, to know further of their State by fome other means. Mean while Uriel defcending on a fun-beam, warns Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradife, that fome evil spirit had escaped the deep, and paffed at noon by his fphere in the fhape of a good angel down to Paradise, bis furious geftares on the mount. discovered after by Gabriel promises to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve difcourfe of going to their reft their bower deferibed; their evening worship. Gabriel drawing forth his bands of night-watch to walk the round of Paradife, appoints two ftrong angels to Adam's bower, leß the evil spirit fhould be there doing fome harm to Adam or Eve fleeping; there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unavilling, to Gabriel: by whom questioned, he fcornfully answers; prepares refiftance, but hinder'd by a fign from heaven, flies out of Paradife. PARADISE LOST. BOOK IV. For that warning voice, which he who faw Haply fo fcap'd his mortal fnare: for now 10 15 20 25 Worfe; of worfe deeds worfe fufferings must enfue. 30 35 O thou that, with furpaffing glory crown'd, Look'ft from thy fole dominion like the God Of this new world; at whofe fight all the stars Hide their diminish'd heads; to thee I call, But with no friendly voice, and add thy name, O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams, That bring to my remembrance from what state 1 fell, how glorious once above thy sphere; Till pride, and worse ambition, threw me down, 40 Warring in heav'n against heav'n's matchlefs King. Ah, wherefore! he deserv'd no fuch return From me, whom he created what I was, In that bright eminence, and with his good Upbraided none; nor was his fervice hard. What could be lefs, than to afford him praise, The eafieft recompence, and pay him thanks, How due! yet all his good prov'd ill in me, And wrought but malice; lifted up fo high 45 I 'fdeind fubjection, and thought one step higher 50 Then happy; no unbounded hope had rais'd 55 60 As great might have aspir'd, and me though mean 65 Thou hadft. Whom hast thou then, or what, to' acBut Heaven's free love, dealt equally to all? Be then his love accurs'd, fince love or hate, To me alike, it deals eternal woe. [cufe, 70 Nay curs'd be thou; fince against his thy will dread of fhame Among the fpi'rits beneath, whom I feduc'd With other promises, and other vaunts But fay I could repent, and could obtain, By act of grace, my former ftate; how foon 75 80 85 90 94 Would height recall high thoughts, how foon unfay What feign'd fubmiffion fwore? ease would recant For never can true reconcilement grow, Where wounds of deadly hate have pierc'd fo deep: Which would but lead me to a worfe relapfe, 100 105 110 Thus while he fpake, each paffion dimm'd his face Thrice chang'd with pale ire, envy, and despair; 115 Which marr'd his borrow'd vifage, and betray'd Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld. For heav'nly minds from fuch diftempers foul Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calm, 120 That practis'd falfehood under faintly fhow, Yet not enough had practis'd to deceive Uriel once warn'd; whofe eye purfu'd him down 125 Now.nearer, crowns, with her inclosure green; 130 |