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By men who there frequent or therein dwell.
And now, what further should ensue, behold.

He look'd, and saw the ark hull on the flood.
Which now abated; for the clouds were fled,
Driven by a keen north wind, that, blowing dry
Trinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd;
And the clear sun on his wild watery glass
Gazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew,
As after thirst; which made their flowing shrink
From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole

With soft foot towards the deep; who now had stopp'd

His sluices, as the Heaven his windows shut.

The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground,
Fast on the top of some high mountain fix'd.
And now the tops of hills, as rocks appear;
With clamour thence the rapid currents drive,
Towards the retreating sea, their furious tide,
Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies,
And after him, the surer messenger,
A dove sent forth once and again to spy
Green tree or ground, whereon his foot may light:
The second time returning, in his bill

An olive-leaf he brings, pacific sign:
Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark
The ancient sire descends, with all his train :
Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout,
Grateful to Heaven, over his head beholds
A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow
Conspicuous with three listed colors gay,
Betokening peace from God, and convent new.
Whereat the heart of Adam, erst so sad,
Greatly rejoeiced; and thus his joy broke forth:
"O thou, who future things canst represent
As present, Heavenly Instructor! I revive
At this last sight; assured that man shall live,
With all the creatures, and their seed preserve.
far less I now lament for one whole world

Of wicked sons destroy'd, than I rejoice
For one man found so perfect and so just
That God vouchsafes to raise another world
From him, and all his anger to forget.

But say, what mean those color'd streaks in Heaven
Distend'd as the brow of God appeased?

Or serve they, as a flowery verge, to bind
The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud,
Lest it again dissolve, and shower the Earth?"

To whom the Arch-Angel! Dexterously thou aim'st; So willingly doth God remit his ire,

Though late repenting him of man depraved;
Grieved at his heart, when looking down he saw
The whole Earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh
Corrupting each their way; yet those removed,
Such grace shall one just man find in his sight,
That he relents not to blot out mankind:
And makes a covenant never to destroy
The Earth again by flood; nor let the sea
Surpass his bounds; nor rain to drown the world,
With man therein or beast; but, then he brings
Over the Earth a cloud, will therein set
His triple-color'd bow, whereon to look,
And call to mind his covenant: day and night,
Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost,
Shall hold their course; till fire purge all things new,
Both Heaven and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.

PARADISE LOST,

BOOK XII.

2 B

THE ARGUMENT.

The Angel Michael continues, from the flood, to relate what shall succeed; then in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain who that Seed of the Woman shall be, which was promised Adam and Eve in the fall; his incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension; the state of the church till his second coming. Adam, greatly satisfied and recomforted by these relations and promises, descends the hill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had slept,but with gentle dreams composed to quietness of mind and submission; Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradise, the fiery sword waving behind them, and the Cherubims taking their stations to guard the place.

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