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From underground;) the liquid ore he drain'd
Into fit moulds prepar'd; from which he form'd
First his own tools; then, what might else be wrought
Fusil or graven in metal. After these,

But on the hither side, a different sort

From the high neighbouring hills, which was their

seat,

Down to the plain descended; by their guise
Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent
To worship God aright, and know his works

Not hid; nor those things last, which might pre-

serve

Freedom and peace to Men: they on the plain
Long had not walk'd, when from the tents behold!
A bevy of fair women, richly gay

In gems and wanton dress; to the harp they sung
Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on:
The men, though grave, ey'd them: and let their

eyes

Rove without rein; till, in the amorous net

Fast caught, they lik'd; and each his liking chose;
And now of love they treat, till the evening-star,
Love's harbinger, appear'd; then, all in heat
They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke
Hymen, then first to marriage rites invok❜d:
With feast and musick all the tents resound.
Such happy interview, and fair event

Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flowers,

And charming symphonies, attach'd the heart
Of Adam, soon inclin❜d to admit delight,
The bent of nature; which he thus express'd.

True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel blest; Much better seems this vision, and more hope Of peaceful days portends, then those two past; Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse; Here Nature seems fulfill'd in all her ends.

To whom thus Michael. Judge not what is best By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet; Created, as thou art, to nobler end

Holy and pure, conformity divine.

Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant, were the tents
Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race
Who slew his brother; studious they appear
Of arts that polish life, inventers rare;
Unmindful of their Maker, though his Spirit
Taught them; but they his gifts acknowledg'd none.
Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget;

For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that seem'd
Of Goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay,
Yet empty of all good wherein consists
Woman's domestick honour and chief praise;
Bred only and completed to the taste
Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance,

To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye.
To these that sober race of men, whose lives
Religious titled them the sons of God,

Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame
Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles

Of these fair atheists; and now swim in joy,
Erelong to swim at large; and laugh, for which
The world, erelong a world of tears, must weep.
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
Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint!
But still I see the tenour of Man's woe
Holds on the same, from Woman to begin.

From Man's effeminate slackness it begins, Baid the Angel, who should better hold his place By wisdom, and superiour gifts receiv'd.

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 ;

Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed,

Single, or in array of battle rang'd

Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood;
One way a band select from forage drives
A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine,
From a fat meadow ground; or fleecy flock,
Ewes and their bleeting lambs over the plain,
Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds fly,

But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray;
With cruel tournament the squadrons join ;
Where cattle pastur'd late, now scatter'd lies
With carcasses and arms the ensanguin'd field,
Deserted: Others to a city strong

Lay siege, encamp'd; by battery, scale, and mine,
Assaulting; others from the wall defend

With dart and javelin, stones, and sulphurous fire;
On each hand slaughter, and gigantick deeds.
In other part the scepter'd heralds call

To council, in the city-gates; anon

Gray-headed men and grave, with warriours mix'd,
Assemble, and harangues are heard; but soon,
In factious opposition; till at last,

Of middle age one rising, eminent,

In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong,
Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace,
And judgment from above: him old and young
Exploded, and had seiz'd with violent hands;
Had not a cloud descending snatch'd him thence
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 Death's ministers, not men? who thus deal death

Inhumanly to men, and multiply

Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slew

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His brother: for of whom such massacre

Make they, but of their brethren; men of men? But who was that just man, who, had not Heaven Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost?

To whom thus Michael. These are the product
Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw'st;
Where good with bad were match'd, who of them
selves

Abhor to join; and, by imprudence mix'd,
Produce prodigious births of body or mind.
Such were these giants, men of high renown
For in those days might only shall be admir'd,
And valour and heroick virtue call'd;
To overcome in battle, and subdue

Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite
Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch
Of human glory; and for glory done
Of triumph, to be styl❜d great conquerours,
Patrons of mankind, Gods, and sons of Gods;
Destroyers rightlier call'd, and plagues of men.
Thus fame shall be achiev'd, renown on earth;
And what most merits fame, in silence hid.
But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou beheldst
The only righteous in a world perverse,
And therefore hated, therefore so beset
With foes, for daring single to be just,

And utter odious truth, that God would come
To judge them with his Saints: him the Most High

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