Light fhone, and order from diforder sprung: 715 720 Look downward on that globe, whole hither fide Timely' interpofes, and her monthly round 725 730 Still ending, ftill renewing, through mid Heaven, As to fuperior Spi'rits is wont in Heaven, Took leave, and tow'ard the coaft of earth beneath, Nor ftay'd, till on Niphates' top he lights. THE END OF THE THIRD BOOK. VOL. I. H THE THE ARGUMENT. Satan now in profpect of Eden, and nigh the place where he muft now attempt the bold enterprife which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many paffions, fear, envy, and despair; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradife whofe outward profpect and fituation is defcribed, overleaps the bounds, fits in the fhape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the garden, to look about him. The garden defcrib'd; Satan's first fight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and happy state, but with refolution to work their fall; overhears their difcourfe, thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his temptation by feducing them to tranfgrefs: then leaves them a while, to know further of their ftate by fome other means. Mean while Uriel descending on a sunbeam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradlife, that fome evil Spirit had efcap'd the deep, and pafs'd at noon by his fphere in the fhape of a good Angel down to Paradife, difcovered after by his furious geftures in the mount. Gabriel promifes to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve difcourfe of going to their reft: their bower defcrib'd; their evening worship. Gabriel drawing forth his bands of night-watch to walk the round of Paradife, appoints two ftrong Angels to Adam's bower, left the evil Spirit should be there doing fome harm to Adam or Eve fleeping; there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel; by whom queftion'd, he fcornfully anfwers, prepares refiftance, but hinder'd by a fign from Heaven, flies out of Pará PARADISE LOST. BOOK IV. For that warning voice, which he who faw His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir 10 ༔ |