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These, lull'd by nightingales, embracing slept.
And on their naked limbs the flowery roof
Shower'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on,
Bless'd pair! and O! yet happiest, if ye seek
No happier state, and know to know no more.
Now had night measured with he shadowy cone
Halfway up hill this vast sublunar vault,
And from their ivory port the cherubim,
Forth issuing at the accustom'd hour, stood arm'd
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 call'd
That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge;
"Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing'd speed

Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook;
But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge,
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 distemper'd, discontented thoughts,

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