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
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-
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
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.
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
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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