Before him reverent; and both confessed 1100 Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd: with tears BOOK XI. The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise; sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them: but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to meet him; the Angel denounces their departure. Eve's Lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: The Angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the Flood. THUS they, in lowliest plight, repentant stood Inspired, and wing'd for Heaven with speedier flight Not of mean suitors; nor important less 15 Seem'd their petition, than when the ancient pair 10 20 See, Father, what first-fruits on earth are sprung From thy implanted grace in Man; these sighs And prayers, which in this golden censer, mix'd With incense, I thy priest before thee bring : Fruits of more pleasing savour, from thy seed Sown with contrition in his heart, than those Which, his own hand manuring, all the trees Of Paradise could have produced, ere fallen 25 From innocence. Now, therefore, bend thine ear 30 To supplication; hear his sighs, though mute; Unskilful with what words to pray, let me Interpret for him; me, his advocate And propitiation; all his works on me, Good or not good, ingraft; my merit those 35 Shall perfect, and for these my death shall pay. Accept me; and, in me, from these receive The smell of peace toward mankind : let him live Number'd, though sad; till death, his doom (which I To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse,) 41 To better life shall yield him: where with me Made one with me, as I with thee am one. All my redeem'd may dwell in joy and bliss; To whom the Father, without cloud, serene; 45 All thy request for Man, accepted Son, 50 55 And immortality: that fondly lost, His final remedy; and, after life, 60 By faith and faithful works, to second life, 65 Resigns him up with Heaven and Earth renew d. [hide Through Heaven's wide bounds: from them I will not 70 And in their state, though firm, stood more confirm'd He ended, and the Son gave signal high To the bright minister that watch'd; he blew 75 By the waters of life, where'er they sat In fellowships of joy, the sons of light 80 And took their seats: till from his throne supreme 85 The Almighty thus pronounced his sov'reign will: For ever, to remove him I decree, And send him from the garden forth to till Michaël, this my behest have thou in charge, Take to thee from among the Cherubim 100 Thy choice of flaming warriors, lest the Fiend, Vacant possession, some new trouble raise: Haste thee, and from the Paradise of God Without remorse drive out the sinful pair ; 105 From hallow'd ground the unholy; and denounce 110 If patiently thy bidding they obey, To Adam what shall come in future days, As I shall thee enlighten; intermix 115 My covenant in the Woman's seed renew'd; So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace To Spirits foul, and all my trees their prey : 120 With whose stolen fruit Man once more to delude. 125 130 |