THE ARGUMENT. Man's transgression known, the guardian Angels forsake Par adise, aud return up to Heaven to approve their vigilance, and are approved; God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors; who descends and gives sentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and reascenas. Sin and death, sitting till then at the gates of Hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, and the sin by man there commited, resolve to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the of placeman: To make the way easier from Hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad highway or bridge over Chaos, according to the tract that Satan first made: then, prepar ing for Earth, they meet him, proud of his success, returning to Hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against man; instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audiance, transformed with himself also suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise; then, deluded with a show of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they, greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of sin and death; God foretels the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of things but, for the present, commands his Angels to make several alterations in the Heavens and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily bewails rejects the condolement of Eve; she persists, and a length appeases him; then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not: but, conceiveing better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the Serpent, and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offend ed Deity, by repentance and supplication. PARADISE LOST. BOOK X. MEANWHILE the heinous and despiteful act Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, Was known in Heaven; for what can scape the eye Of man, with strength entire and free will arm'd, Wither wils of foe or seeming friend. For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd, The high injunction, not to tast that fruit, With pity, violated not their bliss. The ethreal people ran, to hear and know Or touch with lightest moment of impulse By some immediate stroke: but soon shall find All judgement, whether in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell Mercy colleague with Justice, sending thee, Both ransom and Redeemer voluntary, And destined man himself to judge man fallen." Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son, Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild : Mine, both in Heaven and Earth, to do thy will Convict by flight, and rebel to all law: Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose Accompanied to Heaven-gate; from whence Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. Down he descended straight; the speed of Gods Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing'd. Now was the Sun in western cadence low From noon, and gentle airs, due at their hour, To fan the Earth now waked, and usher in The evening cool; when he, from wrath more cool, Came the mild Judge, and Intercessor both, To sentence man: The voice of God they heard Now walking in the garden, by soft winds Brought to their ears, while day declined: they heard, And from his presence hid themselves among W* The thickest trees, both man and wife; till God, Where art thou, Adam wont with joy to meet Absents thee, or what chance detains ?-Come forth! My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, So dreadful to thee! That thou art naked, who O Heaven! in evil strait this day I stand However insupportable, be all Devolved: though should I hold my peace, yet thou Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. This woman, whom thou madest to my help, |