And liquid lapse of murm'ring streams: by these, Creatures that lived, and moved, and walk'd, or flew: Birds on the branches warbling: all things smiled; With fragrance and with joy my heart 'erflow'd. Myself I then perused, and limb by limb Survey'd, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran With supple joints, as lively vigour led: 270 But who I was, or where, or from what cause, In goodness and in pow'r pre-eminent ! 280 From whom I have that thus I move and live, 295 My droused sense, untroubled, though I thought I then was passing to my former state 290 When suddenly stood at my head a dream, Whose inward apparition gently moved My fancy to believe I yet had being, 294 And lived. One came, methought, of shape divine, And said, Thy mansion wants thee Adam; rise, First man, of men innumerable ordain'd First Father; call'd by thee, I come thy guide 266. With fragrance, with a joy like that of nature in spring time. 272. There is no contradiction between this line and line 352, &c. as Warburton asserts. Adam was able to name things generally, that is, according to their several kinds of bein, as soon as he behel. then, but it was by a more immediate inspiration, Milton intimates, that he was taught to give names to the several species of animals, &c. To the garden of bliss, thy seat prepared. 800 Smooth sliding without step, last led me up Each tree To pluck and eat; whereat I waked, and found 310 315 [I am, Submiss he rear'd me', and Whom thou sought'st 320 To till and keep, and of the fruit to eat. Of every tree that in the garden grows Eat freely with glad heart; fear here no dearth; 325 330 Yet dreadful in mine ear, though in my choice 335 300. Gen. iii. 15. It is supposed by a great number of commen tators that Adam was not formed in Paradise, but in some othe. part of the earth, without the inclosure of the sacred garden, into which he was carried by God after his creation. 220. To till; to cultivate in any way which the nature of a Not to incur; but soon his clear aspect Return'd, and gracious purpose thus renew'd: 3-10 345 Not hither summon'd, since they cannot change As thus he spake, each bird and beast behold Approaching two and two; these cow'ring low With blandishment, each bird stoop'd on his wing. I named them as they pass'd, and understood Their nature; with such knowledge God indued My sudden apprehension: but in these 350 I found not what methought I wanted still, 355 And to the heav'nly Vision thus presumed: O by what name, for thou above all these, 360 And all this good to man? for whose well being So amply, and with hands so liberal Thou hast provided all things! but with me 365 I see not who partakes. In solitude 370 376 And humble deprecation, thus reply'd: Let not my words offend thee, Heav'nly Pow'r! My Maker, be propitious while I speak! 380 Hast thou not made me here thy substitute, And these inferior far beneath me set? Among unequals what society Can sort? what harmony or true delight? 385 Cannot well suit with either, but soon prove 390 All rational delight, wherein the brute Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl 395 So well converse; nor with the ox the ape: Worse then can man with beast, and least of all. Whereto th' Almighty answer'd not displeased: A nice and subtle happiness I see Thou to thyself proposest in the choice Of thy associates, Adam, and wilt taste No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitary. 400 What think'st thou then of me, and this my state? Seem I to thee sufficiently possess'd Of happiness, or not, who am alone 405 From all eternity? for nune I know Second to me, or like, equal much less. How have I then with whom to hold converse Save with the creatures which I made? and those To me inferior! infinite descents 410 Beneath what other creatures are to thee. He ceased; I lowly answer'd: To attain The height and depth of thy eternal ways, Is no deficience found. Not so is Man, But in degree; the cause of his desire 415 Should'st propagate, already infinite, And through all numbers absolute, though one; But Man by number is to manifest His single imperfection, and beget Like of his like, his image multiply'd In unity defective, which requires Best with thyself accompany'd, seek'st not Social communication; yet so pleased, 420 425 Canst raise thy creature to what height thou wilt 430 Of union or communion, deify'd: I by conversing cannot these erect From prone, nor in their ways complacence find. Thus I embolden'd spake, and freedom used 440 Permissive, and acceptance found; which gain'd 435 445 To see how thou could st judge of fit and meet. What next I bring shall please thee, be assured; Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 450 Thy wish exactly to thy heart's desire. He ended, or I heard no more, for now My earthly by his heav'nly overpower'd, Which it had long stood under, strain'd to th' highth In that celestial colloquy sublime, Dazzled and spent, sunk down, and sought repair As with an object that excels the sense Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd Mine eyes he closed, but open left the cell By nature as in aid, and closed mine eyes. 455 460 421. And through, &c. perfect, complete in all its parts. 453. A beautiful idea to express the cause of Adam'e deep s.eep. |