Retaining still divine similitude In part, from such deformities be free, Their Maker's image, answer'd Michaël, then I yield it just, said Adam, and submit. 515 520 525 These painful passages, how we may come To death, and mix with our connatural dust? 'There is, said Michaël, if thou well observe 'T'he rule of Not too much; by temperance taught, 530 In what thou eat'st and drink'st; seeking from thence Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight, Till many years over thy head return: So mayst thou live; till, like ripe fruit, thou drop 535 Into thy mother's lap; or be with ease Gather'd, not harshly pluck'd; for death mature : This is Old Age; but then thou must outlive [change Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty; which will To wither'd, weak, and gray; thy senses then, 540 Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forego, 545 Which I must keep till my appointed day Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou livest He look'd, and saw a spacious plain, whereon 550 555 565 Was heard, of harp and organ; and, who moved 550 570 But on the hither side, a different sort [seat From the high neighbouring hills, which was their Down to the plain descended; by their guise 576 Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent Not hid; nor those things last, which might preserve 590 In gems and wanton dress; to the harp they sung The men, though grave, eyed them; and let their eyes 586 And now of love they treat, till the evening star, 590 Of love and youth not lost, sungs, garlands, flowers, And charming sympnonies, attach'd the heart Of Adam, soon inclined to admit delight, The bent of nature; which he thus express'd: 595 Of peaceful days portends, than those two pass'd; 600 Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse; Here Nature seems fulfill'd in all her ends. To whom thus Michaël: Judge not what is best By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet; Created, as thou art, to nobler end Holy and pure, conformity divine. 605 610 Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant were the tents Of Goddesses so blithe, so smooth, so gay, 615 Yet empty of all good wherein consists Bred only and completed to the taste Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance, To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye: 620 Religious titled them the sons of God, Of these fair atheists; and now swim in joy, 621 Frelong to swim at large; and laugh for which To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft : O pity and shame, that they, who to live well Enter'd so fair, should turn aside to tread 630 Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint! But still I see the tenor of Man's woe Holds on the same, from Woman to begin From Man's effeminate slackness it begins, Said the Angel, who should better hold his place 635 By wisdom, and superior gifts received. But now prepare thee for another scene. He look'd, and saw wide territory spread Before him, towns, and rural works between, Cities of Men with lofty gates and towers, Concourse in arms, fierce faces threatening war, Giants of mighty bone and bold emprise; 640 Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed, Single or in array of battle ranged 645 Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood; 650 655 Lay siege, encamp'd; by battery, scale, and mine, With dart and javelin, stones, and sulphurous fire; To council, in the city-gates; anon Gray-headed men and grave, with warriors mix'd 660 In factious opposition; till at last, Of middle age one rising, eminent In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong, And judgment from above: him old and young 665 Had not a cloud descending snatch'd him thence 670 Unseen amid the throng; so violence Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law, Through all the plain, and refuge none was found Adam was all in tears, and to his guide Lamenting turn'd full sad: O! what are these, Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slew His brother; for of whom such massacre 675 Make they, but of their brethren; men of men? 680 But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost? To whom thus Michaël: These are the product Of those ill mated marriages thou saw'st; [selves Where good with bad were match'd, who of them Abhor to join; and, by imprudence mix'd, 686 Produce prodigious births of body or mind. Such were these giants, men of high renown; For in those days might only shall be admired, And valour and heroic virtue call'd; 690 To overcome in battle, and subdue Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite 695 '701 |