PARADISE LOST. BOOK X. Man's transgression known, the guardian Ange.s forsake Paradise and return up to Heaven to approve their vigi.ance, and are ap proved; 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 reascends. 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 committed, resolve to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the place of Man: 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, preparing for Earth, they meet him, proud of his success, return ing to Hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pande monium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against Man; instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, 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 all 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 condclement of Eve; she persists, and at length appeases him: then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not; but, conceiving 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 offended Deity, by repentance and supplication. MEANWHILE the heinous and despiteful act Of Satan, done in Paradise; and how He, in the Serpent, had perverted Eve, Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, Was known in Heaven; for what can scape the eye 5 Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart Omniscient? who, in all things wise and just Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind Of Man, with strength entire and free will arm'd, Complete to have discover'd and repulsed 10 Whatever wiles of fce or seeming friend. For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd, Incurr'd (what could they less?) the penalty; 15 Much wondering how the subtle Fiend had stolen 20 About the new-arrived, in multitudes The ethereal people ran, to hear and know How all befel: They towards the throne supreme, With righteous plea, their utmost vigilance, And easily approved: when the Most High I told ye then he should prevail, and speed On his bad errand; Man should be seduced, Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 25 25 339 30 335 40 45 His free will, to her own inclining left By some immediate stroke; but soon shall find 50 But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee, 5o Vicegerent Son? To thee I have transferr'd All judgment, whether in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell. Fasy it may be seen that I intend Mercy colleague with Justice, sending thee, Man's friend, his Mediator, his design'd 6C Both ransom and Redeemer voluntary, And destined Man himself to judge Man fallen. So spake the Father; and, unfolding bright Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son Blazed forth unclouded Deity: He full 6 Resplendent all his Father manifest Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild: Father Eternal, thine is to decree; Mine, both in Heaven and Earth, to do thy will Supreme; that thou in me, thy Son beloved, 78 Mayst ever rest well pleased. I go to judge On earth these thy transgressors; but thou know'st, Before thee; and, not repenting, this obtain Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 8 Are to behold the judgment, but the judged, Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd. Convict by flight, and rebel to all law : Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose Of high collateral glory; Him Thrones, and Powers, Down he descended straight; the speed of Gods 85 90 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, 95 To sentence Man: The voice of God they heard 100 Brought to their ears, while day declined; they heard, 105 Where art thou, Adam wont with joy to meet Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answer'd brief: 111 110 My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, But still rejoiced; how is it now become 120 So dreadful to thee! That thou art naked, who Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat? To whom thus Adam sore beset replied: O Heaven! in evil strait this day I stand Before my Judge; either to undergo 125 My other self, the partner of my life; Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, I should conceal, and not expose to blame 130 By my complaint: but strict necessity Lest on my head both sin and punishment However insupportable, be all Devolved; though should I hold my peace, yet thou Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. 136 This Woman, whom thou madest to be my help, And gavest me as thy perfect gift, so good, So fit, so acceptable, so divine, That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 140 And what she did, whatever in itself, Her doing seem'd to justify the deed; She gave me of the tree, and I did eat. To whom the Sov'reign Presence thus replied. Was she thy God, that her thou didst obey 145 Before his voice? or was she made thy guide, Superior, or but equal, that to her Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place 150 She was indeed, and lovely, to attract Thy love, not thy subjection; and her gifts Were such, as under government well seem'd ; 15 |