What might be public good; myself I thought Made it my whole delight, and in it grew 205 Had measured twice six years, at our great feast 210 What might improve my knowledge or their own; And was admired by all; yet this not all 215 To which my spirit aspired; victorious deeds Misled; the stubborn only to subdue. 220 225 230 These growing thoughts my mother soon perceiving, 235 Thou should'st be great, and sit on David's throne, And of thy kingdom there should be no end. At thy nativity a glorious quire Of angels in the fields of Bethlehem sung To shepherds, watching at their folds by night 241 245 And told them the Messiah now was born, A star, not seen before, in Heav'n appearing, 250 To honour thee with incense, myrrh, and gold; Like things of thee to all that present stood. 255 The Law and Prophets, searching what was writ 260 Concerning the Messiah, to our scribes Or work redemption for mankind, whose sins' Known partly, and soon found of whom they spake 265 Full weight must be transferr'd upon my head. Not knew by sight) now come, who was to come I as all others to his baptism came, Which I believed was from above; but he 270 Strait knew me, and with loudest voice proclaim'd Me him (for it was shewn him so from Heav'n) 276 Me him whose harbinger he was, and first Refused on me his baptism to confer, As much his greater, and was hardly won; Heav'n open'd her eternal doors, from whence 255. Luke ii. 25. 36. 280 271. Jesus and John were relations on the side of their mothers, but having been brought up at a distance, it is concluded from John i. 32. that they were personally unknown to each other. Audibly heard from Heav'n, pronounced me his, He was well pleased; by which I knew the time 235 Th' authority which I derived from Heav'n. 290 I learn not yet, perhaps I need not know; So spake our Morning Star, then in his rise, And looking round on every side, beheld 205 A pathless desert, dusk with horrid shades; And he still on was led, but with such thoughts Nor tasted human food, nor hunger felt, Till those days ended, hunger'd then at last 300 305 Among wild beasts: they at his sight grew mild, 310 Nor sleeping him, nor waking harm'd, his walk The fiery serpent fled, and noxious worm, The lion and fierce tiger glared aloof. But now an aged man in rural weeds, Following, as seem'd, the quest of some stray ewe, 315 286. The fulness of time, Gal. iv. 4. 312. It is well remarked, that the description here given, is founded on a slight expression in St. Mark's gospel, i. 13. in which alone it is found. The various particulars mentioned, are observed by Warburton to be beautifully introduced, as intimating the restoration of man's former state of secure innocence. Worm is a general term for reptile. 314. It is supposed, that Milton took the idea of making Satan appear like an old man from a design by D. Vinkhorn. He saw approach, who first with curious eye Perused him, then with words thus utter'd spake: 320 Sir, what ill-chance bath brought thee to this place, So far from path, or road of men, who pass In troop, or caravan? for single none Durst ever, who return'd, and dropt not here His carcase, pined with hunger and with drought. 325 I ask the rather, and the more admire, For that to me thou seem'st the Man whom late Our new baptizing Prophet at the ford Of Jordan honour'd so, and call'd thee Son Of God; I saw and heard, for we sometimes 330 Who dwell this wild, constrain'd by want, come forth To town or village nigh (nighest is far) Where ought we hear, and curious are to hear, To whom the Son of God: Who brought me hither, Will bring me bence; no other guide I seek. 336 By miracle he may, reply'd the swain, What other way I see not, for we here Live on tough roots and stubs, to thirst inured More than the camel, and to drink go far, 340 Men to such misery and hardship born; That out of these hard stones be made thee bread, 345 350 355 [guised: 360 Yet to that hideous place not so confined Large liberty to round this globe of earth, 365 Or range in th' air, nor from the Heav'n of Heav'ns Hath he excluded my resort sometimes. I came among the sons of God, when he To prove him, and illustrate his high worth; 370 Of all his flatt'ring prophets glibb'd with lies 375 380 385 Men generally think me such a foe To all mankind: why should I? they to me Never did wrong or violence; by them I lost not what I lost, rather by them 390 I gain'd what I have gain'd, and with them dwell Copartner in these regions of the world, If not disposer, lend them oft my aid, At first it may be; but long since with woe 368. Job i. 6. 372. Fraud; mischief, so used in Par. Lost, ix. 643. 395 400 |