And teach us further by what means to fhun Or by collifion of two bodies grind 1071 Sufcepitque ignem foliis, atque a da circum Nutrimenta dedit, rapuitque in f mite flammam. Hum. I find the word fere used likewile So finks the day far in the ocean Spenfer in his Shepherd's Calendr bed: Ecl. II. The air attrite to fire, as late the clouds Juftling or push'd with winds rude in their fhock Tine the slant lightning, whofe thwart flame driv'n down Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine, And fends a comfortable heat from far, Which might supply the fun: such fire to use, 1075 To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, oak, 1081 Το Primitus: inde omnis flammarum diditur ardor. Multa videmus enim cœleftibus incita flammis Fulgere, quom cœli donavit plaga vapores, &c. Whole body is fere, whofe branches Now for the rife of fire: Swift thun broke. And by our author in his Lycidas, with ivy never fere. 1072. Or by collifion of two bodies clouds &c.] Our poet had Lucretius here in mind, and plainly alludes to his account of the origin of fire, V. 1091. der thrown From broken fulphurous clouds first For many things take fire, when 1075. Tine the flant lightning,] To tine is deriv'd from the Saxon tynan to light, to kindle; from whence alfo we have the word Fulmen detulit in terras mortalibus tinder. ignem U 3 1098.- and THE ARGUMENT. 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 Paradife; fends Michael with a band of Cherubim to difpoffels them; but firft to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous figns; he difcerns Michael's approach, goes out to meet him: the Angel denounces their departure. Eve's Lamentation. Adam pleads, but fubmits: The Angel leads him up to a high hill, fets before him in vifion what fhall happen till the flood. |