Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnar'd
Mankind with her fair looks, to be aveng'd
On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.

Thus at their shady lodge arriv’d, both stood, 720
Both turn'd, and under open sky ador'd
The God that made both sky, air, earth, and heaven,
Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe,
And starry pole : Thou also mad'st the night,
Maker omnipotent, and thou the day,
Which we in our appointed work employ'd
Have finish'd, happy in our niutual help
And niutual love, the crown of all our bliss
Ordain’d by thee, and this delicious place
For us too large, where thy abundance wants 730
Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.
But thou last promis'd from us two a race
To fill the earth, who shall with us extol
Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,
And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep,

This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure Which God likes best, into their inmost bower Handed they went; and eas'd the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear, 740 Straight side by side were laid ; nor turn'd I ween Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refus’d: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity and place and innocence, Defaming as impure what God declares

Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all.
Our Maker bids increase ; who bids abstain
But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?
Hail wedded Love, mysterious law, true source 750
Of human offspring, sole propriety
In Paradise of all things common else.
By thee adult'rous lust was driv’n from men
Among the bestial herds to range ; by thee
Founded in reason, loyal, just and pure,
Relations dear, and all the charities
Of father, son, and brother first were known.
Far be' it, that I should write thee sin or blame,
Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,
Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, 769
Whose bed is undefil'd and chaste pronounc'd,
Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs us’d.
Here love his golden shafts employs, here lights
His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings,
Reigns here and revels ; not in the bought smile
Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd,
Casual fruition; nor in court amours,
Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball,
Or serenade, which the starv'd lover sings
To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. 770
These lull’d by nightingales embracing slept,
And on their naked limbs the flow'ry roof
Show'r'd roses, which the morn repair’d. Sleep on,
Blest pair ; and O yet happiest, if ye seek
No happier state, and know to know no more.
Now had night measur’d with her shadowy cone

Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault,
And from their ivory port the Cherubim
Forth issuing at th' accustom'd hour stood arm'd
To their night watches in warlike parade, 780
When Gabriel to his next in pow'r 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 Spi'rits 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 na

nook;

Butchiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, 7ga
Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harm.
This evening from the sun's decline arriv'd
Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen
Hitherward bent (who could have thought ?) escap/
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 bow'r direct
In search of whom they sought : him there they

found Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, 800 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

Th’animal spirits that from pure blood arise
Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise j
At least distemper’d, discontented thoughts,
Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires,
Blown

up with high conceits ingend'ring pride.
Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear 810
Touch'd lightly ; for no falshood can endure
Touch of celestial temper, but returns
Of force to its own likeness : up he starts
Discover'd and surpris’d. As when a spark
Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid
Fit for the tun some magazine to store
Against a rumour'd war, the smutty grain
With sudden blaze diffus'd infiames the air :
So started up in his own shape the Fiend.
Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz'd 820
So sudden to behold the grisly king ;
Yet thus, uninoy'd with fear, accost him soon.

Which of those rebel Spi'rits adjudg'd to Hell Com'st thou, escap'd thy prison ? and transform’d, Why sat’st thou like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of these that sleep? Know

ye

not then, said Satan fill'd with scorn, Know ye not me? Ye knew me once no mate For

you, there sitting where ye durst not soar : Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, 830 The lowest of your throng; or if ye know, Why ask ye, and superfluous begin Your message, like to end as much in vain ?

Towhom thus Zephon, answ'ring scorn with scorn.

Think not, revolted Spi'rit, thy shape the same,
Or undiminis'd brightness to be known,
As when thou stood'st in Heav'n upright and pure;
That glory, then, when thou no more wast good,
Departed from thee'; and thou resemblest now
Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul. 840
But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account
To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep
This place inviolable, and these from harm.

So spake the Cherub; and his grave rebuke,
Severe in youthful beauty, added grace
Invincible : abash'd the Devil stood,
And felt how awful goodness is, and saw
Virtue' in her shape how lovely ; saw,

and pin'd
His loss; but chiefly to find here observ'd
His lustre visibly impair’d; yet seem'd 850
Undaunted. If I niust contend, said he,
Best with the best, the sender not the sent,
Or all at once ; more glory will be won,
Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold,
Will save us trial what the least can do
Single against thee wicked, and thence weak,

The Fiend replied not, overcome with rage ; But like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb : to strive or fly He held it vain ; awe from above had quell'd 860 His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd, Awaiting next command. To whom their chief