Who might have lived, and joy'd immortal bliss, 1165 It seems, in thy restraint; What could I more? That lay in wait; beyond this had been force; 1170 1175 Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps I also err'd, in overmuch admiring What seem'd in thee so perfect, that I thought The error now, which is become my crime, 1180 1185 The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning; PARADISE LOST. BOOK X. Man's transgression known, the guardian Angels forsake Paradise, and return up to Heaven to approve their vigilance, and are approved; God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors; who descends and gives sentence accordingly; then in pity, clothes them both, and reascends. Sin and Death, sitting till then at the gates of Hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, and the sin by Man there committed, resolve to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the place of Man: To make the way easier from Hell to this world, to and fro, they pave a broad high-way or bridge over Chaos, according to the tract that Satan first made; then, preparing for Earth, they meet him, proud of his success, returning to Hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at pandemonium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against Man; instead of applause, is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed with himself also suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise; then, deluded with a show of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they, greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death: God foretels the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but, for the present, commands his Angels to make several alterations in the Heavens and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily hewails, rejects the condolement of Eve; she persists, and at length appeases him: then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not; but, conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the Serpent; and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and supplication. MEANWHILE the heinous and despiteful act Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, Was known in Heaven; for what can 'scape the eye 5 Omniscient? who, in all things wise and just, Of Man, with strength entire and free will arm'd, 10 Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend. 15 For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd, With pity, violated not their bliss. About the new-arrived, in multitudes The ethereal people ran: to hear and know 25 30 35 35 How all befel: They towards the throne supreme, Assembled Angels, and ye Powers return'd On his bad errand; Man should be seduced, Against his Maker; no decree of mine 40 45 In even scale. But fallen he is; and now By some immediate stroke; but soon shall find 50 But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee, 55 Vicegerent Son? To thee I have transferr'd All judgment, whether in Heaven, or Earth, or Hell. Mercy colleague with Justice, sending thee, And destined Man himself to judge Man fallen. Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild: Mine, both in Heaven and Earth, to do thy will 60 65 70 70 75 Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 80 Are to behold the judgment, but the judged, Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd, Convict by flight, and rebel to all law: Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose Of high collateral glory; Him Thrones and Powers, Down he descended straight; the speed of Gods 85 90 Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing'd. Now was the sun in western cadence low From noon, and gentle airs, due at their hour, To fan the earth now waked, and usher in The evening cool; when he, from wrath more cool, 95 To sentence Man: The voice of God they heard 100 105 Where art thou, Adam wont with joy to meet And shame, and perturbation, and despair, Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answer'd brief: 115 |