Into the world to teach his final will,

And fends his Spi'rit of truth henceforth to dwell
In pious hearts, an inward oracle

To all truth requifite for men to know.

So fpake our Saviour; but the fubtle Fiend, 465 Though inly stung with anger and disdain,

Diffembled, and this answer smooth return'd.

Sharply thou haft infifted on rebuke,

And urg'd me hard with doings, which not will
But mifery hath wrefted from me: where
Eafily canft thou find one miferable,

And not enforc'd oft-times to part from truth;
If it may ftand him more in stead to lie,
Say and unfay, feign, flatter, or abjure?

But thou art plac'd above me, thou art Lord;
From thee I can and muft fubmifs indure
Check or reproof, and glad to 'scape so quit.
Hard are the ways of truth, and rough to walk,

have here corrected an error, which has prevailed in moft of the editions, loving oracle inftead of living oracle; and another a little afterward, and inward oracle inftead of an inward oracle.

47€

475

Smooth on the tongue difcours'd, pleafing to th' ear, And tuneable as fylvan pipe or fong;

480

What wonder then if I delight to hear

pure,

Her dictates from thy mouth? most men admire
Virtue, who follow not her lore: permit me
To hear thee when I come (fince no man comes)
And talk at least, though I despair to' attain.
Thy Father, who is holy, wise and
Suffers the hypocrite or atheous priest
To tread his facred courts, and minister
About his altar, handling holy things,
Praying or vowing, and vouchfaf'd his voice
To Balaam reprobate, a prophet yet
Infpir'd; difdain not such access to me.

To whom our Saviour with unalter'd brow.
Thy coming hither, though I know thy scope,
I bid not or forbid; do as thou find'st
Permiffion from above; thou canst not more.

485

490

7

495

He

publican principles at the Reftora- faying of Medea. Ov. Met. VIL

tion?

Thyer.

20.

He added not; and Satan bowing low His gray diffimulation, disappear'd

Into thin air diffus'd: for now began

Night with her fullen wings to double-shade

The defert; fowls in their clay nefts were couch'd; And now wild beafts came forth the woods to roam.

The end of the First Book.

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