The Poetical Works of John Milton

  [As one who in his journey bates at Noone
  Though bent on speed, so heer the Archangel' paus'd
  Betwixt the world destroy'd and world restor'd,
  If Adam aught perhaps might interpose;
  Then with transition sweet new Speech resumes]
  Thus thou hast seen one World begin and end;
  And Man as from a second stock proceed.
  Much thou hast yet to see, but I perceave
  Thy mortal sight to faile; objects divine
  Must needs impaire and wearie human sense:                           10
  Henceforth what is to com I will relate,
  Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.
  This second sours of Men, while yet but few,
  And while the dread of judgement past remains
  Fresh in thir mindes, fearing the Deitie,
  With some regard to what is just and right
  Shall lead thir lives, and multiplie apace,
  Labouring the soile, and reaping plenteous crop,
  Corn wine and oyle; and from the herd or flock,
  Oft sacrificing Bullock, Lamb, or Kid,                               20
  With large Wine-offerings pour'd, and sacred Feast
  Shal spend thir dayes in joy unblam'd, and dwell
  Long time in peace by Families and Tribes
  Under paternal rule; till one shall rise
  Of proud ambitious heart, who not content
  With fair equalitie, fraternal state,
  Will arrogate Dominion undeserv'd
  Over his brethren, and quite dispossess
  Concord and law of Nature from the Earth;
  Hunting (and Men not Beasts shall be his game)                       30
  With Warr and hostile snare such as refuse
  Subjection to his Empire tyrannous:
  A mightie Hunter thence he shall be styl'd
  Before the Lord, as in despite of Heav'n,
  Or from Heav'n claming second Sovrantie;
  And from Rebellion shall derive his name,
  Though of Rebellion others he accuse.
  Hee with a crew, whom like Ambition joyns
  With him or under him to tyrannize,
  Marching from Eden towards the West, shall finde                     40
  The Plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge
  Boiles out from under ground, the mouth of Hell;
  Of Brick, and of that stuff they cast to build
  A Citie & Towre, whose top may reach to Heav'n;
  And get themselves a name, least far disperst
  In foraign Lands thir memorie be lost,
  Regardless whether good or evil fame.
  But God who oft descends to visit men
  Unseen, and through thir habitations walks
  To mark thir doings, them beholding soon,                            50
  Comes down to see thir Citie, ere the Tower
  Obstruct Heav'n Towrs, and in derision sets
  Upon thir Tongues a various Spirit to rase
  Quite out thir Native Language, and instead
  To sow a jangling noise of words unknown:
  Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud
  Among the Builders; each to other calls
  Not understood, till hoarse, and all in rage,
  As mockt they storm; great laughter was in Heav'n
  And looking down, to see the hubbub strange                          60
  And hear the din; thus was the building left
  Ridiculous, and the work Confusion nam'd.
  Whereto thus Adam fatherly displeas'd.
  O execrable Son so to aspire
  Above his Brethren, to himself affirming
  Authoritie usurpt, from God not giv'n:
  He gave us onely over Beast, Fish, Fowl
  Dominion absolute; that right we hold
  By his donation; but Man over men
  He made not Lord; such title to himself                              70
  Reserving, human left from human free.
  But this Usurper his encroachment proud
  Stayes not on Man; to God his Tower intends
  Siege and defiance: Wretched man! what food
  Will he convey up thither to sustain
  Himself and his rash Armie, where thin Aire
  Above the Clouds will pine his entrails gross,
  And famish him of Breath, if not of Bread?
  To whom thus Michael. Justly thou abhorr'st
  That Son, who on the quiet state of men                              80
  Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue
  Rational Libertie; yet know withall,
  Since thy original lapse, true Libertie
  Is lost, which alwayes with right Reason dwells
  Twinn'd, and from her hath no dividual being:
  Reason in man obscur'd, or not obeyd,
  Immediately inordinate desires
  And upstart Passions catch the Government
  From Reason, and to servitude reduce
  Man till then free. Therefore since hee permits                      90
  Within himself unworthie Powers to reign
  Over free Reason, God in Judgement just
  Subjects him from without to violent Lords;
  Who oft as undeservedly enthrall
  His outward freedom: Tyrannie must be,
  Though to the Tyrant thereby no excuse.
  Yet somtimes Nations will decline so low
  From vertue, which is reason, that no wrong,
  But Justice, and some fatal curse annext
  Deprives them of thir outward libertie,                             100
  Thir inward lost: Witness th' irreverent Son
  Of him who built the Ark, who for the shame
  Don to his Father, heard this heavie curse,
  Servant Of Servants, on his vitious Race.
  Thus will this latter, as the former World,
  Still tend from bad to worse, till God at last
  Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw
  His presence from among them, and avert
  His holy Eyes; resolving from thenceforth
  To leave them to thir own polluted wayes;                           110
  And one peculiar Nation to select
  From all the rest, of whom to be invok'd,
  A Nation from one faithful man to spring:
  Him on this side Euphrates yet residing,
  Bred up in Idol-worship; O that men
  (Canst thou believe?) should be so stupid grown,
  While yet the Patriark liv'd, who scap'd the Flood,
  As to forsake the living God, and fall
  To-worship thir own work in Wood and Stone
  For Gods! yet him God the most High voutsafes                       120
  To call by Vision from his Fathers house,
  His kindred and false Gods, into a Land
  Which he will shew him, and from him will raise
  A mightie Nation, and upon him showre
  His benediction so, that in his Seed
  All Nations shall be blest; hee straight obeys,
  Not knowing to what Land, yet firm believes:
  I see him, but thou canst not, with what Faith
  He leaves his Gods, his Friends, and native Soile
  Ur of Chaldaea, passing now the Ford                                130
  To Haran, after him a cumbrous Train
  Of Herds and Flocks, and numerous servitude;
  Not wandring poor, but trusting all his wealth
  With God, who call'd him, in a land unknown.
  Canaan he now attains, I see his Tents
  Pitcht about Sechem, and the neighbouring Plaine
  Of Moreb; there by promise he receaves
  Gift to his Progenie of all that Land;
  From Hamath Northward to the Desert South
  (Things by thir names I call, though yet unnam'd)                   140
  From Hermon East to the great Western Sea,
  Mount Hermon, yonder Sea, each place behold
  In prospect, as I point them; on the shoare
  Mount Carmel; here the double-founted stream
  Jordan, true limit Eastward; but his Sons
  Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of Hills.
  This ponder, that all Nations of the Earth
  Shall in his Seed be blessed; by that Seed
  Is meant thy great deliverer, who shall bruise
  The Serpents head; whereof to thee anon                             150
  Plainlier shall be reveald. This Patriarch blest,
  Whom Faithful Abraham due time shall call,
  A Son, and of his Son a Grand-childe leaves,
  Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown;
  The Grandchilde with twelve Sons increast, departs
  From Canaan, to a Land hereafter call'd
  Egypt, divided by the River Nile;
  See where it flows, disgorging at seaven mouthes
  Into the Sea: to sojourn in that Land
  He comes invited by a yonger Son                                    160
  In time of dearth, a Son whose worthy deeds
  Raise him to be the second in that Realme
  Of Pharao: there he dies, and leaves his Race
  Growing into a Nation, and now grown
  Suspected to a sequent King, who seeks
  To stop thir overgrowth, as inmate guests
  Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them slaves
  Inhospitably, and kills thir infant Males:
  Till by two brethren (those two brethren call
  Moses and Aaron) sent from God to claime                            170
  His people from enthralment, they return
  With glory and spoile back to thir promis'd Land.
  But first the lawless Tyrant, who denies
  To know thir God, or message to regard,
  Must be compelld by Signes and Judgements dire;
  To blood unshed the Rivers must be turnd,
  Frogs, Lice and Flies must all his Palace fill
  With loath'd intrusion, and fill all the land;
  His Cattel must of Rot and Murren die,
  Botches and blaines must all his flesh imboss,                      180
  And all his people; Thunder mixt with Haile,
  Haile mixt with fire must rend th' Egyptian Skie
  And wheel on th' Earth, devouring where it rouls;
  What it devours not, Herb, or Fruit, or Graine,
  A darksom Cloud of Locusts swarming down
  Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green:
  Darkness must overshadow all his bounds,
  Palpable darkness, and blot out three dayes;
  Last with one midnight stroke all the first-born
  Of Egypt must lie dead. Thus with ten wounds                        190
  This River-dragon tam'd at length submits
  To let his sojourners depart, and oft
  Humbles his stubborn heart, but still as Ice
  More hard'nd after thaw, till in his rage
  Pursuing whom he late dismissd, the Sea
  Swallows him with his Host, but them lets pass
  As on drie land between two christal walls,
  Aw'd by the rod of Moses so to stand
  Divided, till his rescu'd gain thir shoar:
  Such wondrous power God to his Saint will lend,                     200
  Though present in his Angel, who shall goe
  Before them in a Cloud, and Pillar of Fire,
  To guide them in thir journey, and remove
  Behinde them, while th' obdurat King pursues:
  All night he will pursue, but his approach
  Darkness defends between till morning Watch;
  Then through the Firey Pillar and the Cloud
  God looking forth will trouble all his Host
  And craze thir Chariot wheels: when by command
  Moses once more his potent Rod extends                              210
  Over the Sea; the Sea his Rod obeys;
  On thir imbattelld ranks the Waves return,
  And overwhelm thir Warr: the Race elect
  Safe towards Canaan from the shoar advance
  Through the wilde Desert, not the readiest way,
  Least entring on the Canaanite allarmd
  Warr terrifie them inexpert, and feare
  Return them back to Egypt, choosing rather
  Inglorious life with servitude; for life
  To noble and ignoble is more sweet                                  220
  Untraind in Armes, where rashness leads not on.
  This also shall they gain by thir delay
  In the wide Wilderness, there they shall found
  Thir government, and thir great Senate choose
  Through the twelve Tribes, to rule by Laws ordaind:
  God from the Mount of Sinai, whose gray top
  Shall tremble, he descending, will himself
  In Thunder Lightning and loud Trumpets sound
  Ordaine them Lawes; part such as appertaine
  To civil Justice, part religious Rites                              230
  Of sacrifice, informing them, by types
  And shadowes, of that destind Seed to bruise
  The Serpent, by what meanes he shall achieve
  Mankinds deliverance. But the voice of God
  To mortal eare is dreadful; they beseech
  That Moses might report to them his will,

  And terror cease; he grants them thir desire,
  Instructed that to God is no access
  Without Mediator, whose high Office now
  Moses in figure beares, to introduce                                240
  One greater, of whose day he shall foretell,
  And all the Prophets in thir Age the times
  Of great Messiah shall sing. Thus Laws and Rites
  Establisht, such delight hath God in Men
  Obedient to his will, that he voutsafes
  Among them to set up his Tabernacle,
  The holy One with mortal Men to dwell:
  By his prescript a Sanctuary is fram'd
  Of Cedar, overlaid with Gold, therein
  An Ark, and in the Ark his Testimony,                               250
  The Records of his Cov'nant, over these
  A Mercie-seat of Gold between the wings
  Of two bright Cherubim, before him burn
  Seaven Lamps as in a Zodiac representing
  The Heav'nly fires; over the Tent a Cloud
  Shall rest by Day, a fierie gleame by Night,
  Save when they journie, and at length they come,
  Conducted by his Angel to the Land
  Promisd to Abraham and his Seed: the rest
  Were long to tell, how many Battels fought,                         260
  How many Kings destroyd, and Kingdoms won,
  Or how the Sun shall in mid Heav'n stand still
  A day entire, and Nights due course adjourne,
  Mans voice commanding, Sun in Gibeon stand,
  And thou Moon in the vale of Aialon,
  Till Israel overcome; so call the third
  From Abraham, Son of Isaac, and from him
  His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win.
  Here Adam interpos'd. O sent from Heav'n,
  Enlightner of my darkness, gracious things                          270
  Thou hast reveald, those chiefly which concerne
  Just Abraham and his Seed: now first I finde
  Mine eyes true op'ning, and my heart much eas'd,
  Erwhile perplext with thoughts what would becom
  Of mee and all Mankind; but now I see
  His day, in whom all Nations shall be blest,
  Favour unmerited by me, who sought
  Forbidd'n knowledge by forbidd'n means.
  This yet I apprehend not, why to those
  Among whom God will deigne to dwell on Earth                        280
  So many and so various Laws are giv'n;
  So many Laws argue so many sins
  Among them; how can God with such reside?
  To whom thus Michael. Doubt not but that sin
  Will reign among them, as of thee begot;
  And therefore was Law given them to evince
  Thir natural pravitie, by stirring up
  Sin against Law to fight; that when they see
  Law can discover sin, but not remove,
  Save by those shadowie expiations weak,                             290
  The bloud of Bulls and Goats, they may conclude
  Some bloud more precious must be paid for Man,
  Just for unjust, that in such righteousness
  To them by Faith imputed, they may finde
  Justification towards God, and peace
  Of Conscience, which the Law by Ceremonies
  Cannot appease, nor Man the moral part
  Perform, and not performing cannot live.
  So Law appears imperfet, and but giv'n
  With purpose to resign them in full time                            300
  Up to a better Cov'nant, disciplin'd
  From shadowie Types to Truth, from Flesh to Spirit,
  From imposition of strict Laws, to free
  Acceptance of large Grace, from servil fear
  To filial, works of Law to works of Faith.
  And therefore shall not Moses, though of God
  Highly belov'd, being but the Minister
  Of Law, his people into Canaan lead;
  But Joshua whom the Gentiles Jesus call,
  His Name and Office bearing, who shall quell                        310
  The adversarie Serpent, and bring back
  Through the worlds wilderness long wanderd man
  Safe to eternal Paradise of rest.
  Meanwhile they in thir earthly Canaan plac't
  Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins
  National interrupt thir public peace,
  Provoking God to raise them enemies:
  From whom as oft he saves them penitent
  By Judges first, then under Kings; of whom
  The second, both for pietie renownd                                 320
  And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive
  Irrevocable, that his Regal Throne
  For ever shall endure; the like shall sing
  All Prophecie, That of the Royal Stock
  Of David (so I name this King) shall rise
  A Son, the Womans Seed to thee foretold,
  Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust
  All Nations, and to Kings foretold, of Kings
  The last, for of his Reign shall be no end.
  But first a long succession must ensue,                             330
  And his next Son for Wealth and Wisdom fam'd,
  The clouded Ark of God till then in Tents
  Wandring, shall in a glorious Temple enshrine.
  Such follow him, as shall be registerd
  Part good, part bad, of bad the longer scrowle,
  Whose foul Idolatries, and other faults
  Heapt to the popular summe, will so incense
  God, as to leave them, and expose thir Land,
  Thir Citie, his Temple, and his holy Ark
  With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey                        340
  To that proud Citie, whose high Walls thou saw'st
  Left in confusion, Babylon thence call'd.
  There in captivitie he lets them dwell
  The space of seventie years, then brings them back,
  Remembring mercie, and his Cov'nant sworn
  To David, stablisht as the dayes of Heav'n.
  Returnd from Babylon by leave of Kings
  Thir Lords, whom God dispos'd, the house of God
  They first re-edifie, and for a while
  In mean estate live moderate, till grown                            350
  In wealth and multitude, factious they grow;
  But first among the Priests dissension springs,
  Men who attend the Altar, and should most
  Endeavour Peace: thir strife pollution brings
  Upon the Temple it self: at last they seise
  The Scepter, and regard not Davids Sons,
  Then loose it to a stranger, that the true
  Anointed King Messiah might be born
  Barr'd of his right; yet at his Birth a Starr
  Unseen before in Heav'n proclaims him com,                          360
  And guides the Eastern Sages, who enquire
  His place, to offer Incense, Myrrh, and Gold;
  His place of birth a solemn Angel tells
  To simple Shepherds, keeping watch by night;
  They gladly thither haste, and by a Quire
  Of squadrond Angels hear his Carol sung.
  A Virgin is his Mother, but his Sire
  The Power of the most High; he shall ascend
  The Throne hereditarie, and bound his Reign
  With earths wide bounds, his glory with the Heav'ns.                370
  He ceas'd, discerning Adam with such joy
  Surcharg'd, as had like grief bin dew'd in tears,
  Without the vent of words, which these he breathd.
  O Prophet of glad tidings, finisher
  Of utmost hope! now clear I understand
  What oft my steddiest thoughts have searcht in vain,
  Why our great expectation should be call'd
  The seed of Woman: Virgin Mother, Haile,
  High in the love of Heav'n, yet from my Loynes
  Thou shalt proceed, and from thy Womb the Son                       380
  Of God most High; So God with man unites.
  Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise
  Expect with mortal paine: say where and when
  Thir fight, what stroke shall bruise the Victors heel.
  To whom thus Michael. Dream not of thir fight,
  As of a Duel, or the local wounds
  Of head or heel: not therefore joynes the Son
  Manhood to God-head, with more strength to foil
  Thy enemie; nor so is overcome
  Satan, whose fall from Heav'n, a deadlier bruise,                   390
  Disabl'd not to give thee thy deaths wound:
  Which hee, who comes thy Saviour, shall recure,
  Not by destroying Satan, but his works
  In thee and in thy Seed: nor can this be,
  But by fulfilling that which thou didst want,
  Obedience to the Law of God, impos'd
  On penaltie of death, and suffering death,
  The penaltie to thy transgression due,
  And due to theirs which out of thine will grow:
  So onely can high Justice rest appaid.                              400
  The Law of God exact he shall fulfill
  Both by obedience and by love, though love
  Alone fulfill the Law; thy punishment
  He shall endure by coming in the Flesh
  To a reproachful life and cursed death,
  Proclaiming Life to all who shall believe
  In his redemption, and that his obedience
  Imputed becomes theirs by Faith, his merits
  To save them, not thir own, though legal works.
  For this he shall live hated, be blasphem'd,                        410
  Seis'd on by force, judg'd, and to death condemnd
  A shameful and accurst, naild to the Cross
  By his own Nation, slaine for bringing Life;
  But to the Cross he nailes thy Enemies,
  The Law that is against thee, and the sins
  Of all mankinde, with him there crucifi'd,
  Never to hurt them more who rightly trust
  In this his satisfaction; so he dies,
  But soon revives, Death over him no power
  Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light                       420
  Returne, the Starres of Morn shall see him rise
  Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,
  Thy ransom paid, which Man from death redeems,
  His death for Man, as many as offerd Life
  Neglect not, and the benefit imbrace
  By Faith not void of works: this God-like act
  Annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have dy'd,
  In sin for ever lost from life; this act
  Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength
  Defeating Sin and Death, his two maine armes,                       430
  And fix farr deeper in his head thir stings
  Then temporal death shall bruise the Victors heel,
  Or theirs whom he redeems, a death like sleep,
  A gentle wafting to immortal Life.
  Nor after resurrection shall he stay
  Longer on Earth then certaine times to appeer
  To his Disciples, Men who in his Life
  Still follow'd him; to them shall leave in charge
  To teach all nations what of him they learn'd
  And his Salvation, them who shall beleeve                           440
  Baptizing in the profluent streame, the signe
  Of washing them from guilt of sin to Life
  Pure, and in mind prepar'd, if so befall,
  For death, like that which the redeemer dy'd.
  All Nations they shall teach; for from that day
  Not onely to the Sons of Abrahams Loines
  Salvation shall be Preacht, but to the Sons
  Of Abrahams Faith wherever through the world;
  So in his seed all Nations shall be blest.
  Then to the Heav'n of Heav'ns he shall ascend                       450
  With victory, triumphing through the aire
  Over his foes and thine; there shall surprise
  The Serpent, Prince of aire, and drag in Chaines
  Through all his realme, & there confounded leave;
  Then enter into glory, and resume
  His Seat at Gods right hand, exalted high
  Above all names in Heav'n; and thence shall come,
  When this worlds dissolution shall be ripe,
  With glory and power to judge both quick & dead,
  To judge th' unfaithful dead, but to reward                         460
  His faithful, and receave them into bliss,
  Whether in Heav'n or Earth, for then the Earth
  Shall all be Paradise, far happier place
  Then this of Eden, and far happier daies.
  So spake th' Archangel Michael, then paus'd,
  As at the Worlds great period; and our Sire
  Replete with joy and wonder thus repli'd.
  O goodness infinite, goodness immense!
  That all this good of evil shall produce,
  And evil turn to good; more wonderful                               470
  Then that which by creation first brought forth
  Light out of darkness! full of doubt I stand,
  Whether I should repent me now of sin
  By mee done and occasiond, or rejoyce
  Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring,
  To God more glory, more good will to Men
  From God, and over wrauth grace shall abound.
  But say, if our deliverer up to Heav'n
  Must reascend, what will betide the few
  His faithful, left among th' unfaithful herd,                       480
  The enemies of truth; who then shall guide
  His people, who defend? will they not deale
  Wors with his followers then with him they dealt?
  Be sure they will, said th' Angel; but from Heav'n
  Hee to his own a Comforter will send,
  The promise of the Father, who shall dwell
  His Spirit within them, and the Law of Faith
  Working through love, upon thir hearts shall write,
  To guide them in all truth, and also arme
  With spiritual Armour, able to resist                               490
  Satans assaults, and quench his fierie darts
  What Man can do against them, not affraid,
  Though to the death, against such cruelties
  With inward consolations recompenc't,
  And oft supported so as shall amaze
  Thir proudest persecuters: for the Spirit
  Powrd first on his Apostles, whom he sends
  To evangelize the Nations, then on all
  Baptiz'd, shall them with wondrous gifts endue
  To speak all Tongues, and do all Miracles,                          500
  As did thir Lord before them. Thus they win
  Great numbers of each Nation to receave
  With joy the tidings brought from Heav'n: at length
  Thir Ministry perform'd, and race well run,
  Thir doctrine and thir story written left,
  They die; but in thir room, as they forewarne,
  Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous Wolves,
  Who all the sacred mysteries of Heav'n
  To thir own vile advantages shall turne
  Of lucre and ambition, and the truth                                510
  With superstitions and traditions taint,
  Left onely in those written Records pure,
  Though not but by the Spirit understood.
  Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names,
  Places and titles, and with these to joine
  Secular power, though feigning still to act
  By spiritual, to themselves appropriating
  The Spirit of God, promisd alike and giv'n
  To all Beleevers; and from that pretense,
  Spiritual Lawes by carnal power shall force                         520
  On every conscience; Laws which none shall finde
  Left them inrould, or what the Spirit within
  Shall on the heart engrave. What will they then
  But force the Spirit of Grace it self, and binde
  His consort Libertie; what, but unbuild
  His living Temples, built by Faith to stand,
  Thir own Faith not anothers: for on Earth
  Who against Faith and Conscience can be heard
  Infallible? yet many will presume:
  Whence heavie persecution shall arise                               530
  On all who in the worship persevere
  Of Spirit and Truth; the rest, farr greater part,
  Will deem in outward Rites and specious formes
  Religion satisfi'd; Truth shall retire
  Bestuck with slandrous darts, and works of Faith
  Rarely be found: so shall the World goe on,
  To good malignant, to bad men benigne,
  Under her own waight groaning, till the day
  Appeer of respiration to the just,
  And vengeance to the wicked, at return                              540
  Of him so lately promis'd to thy aid,
  The Womans seed, obscurely then foretold,
  Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord,
  Last in the Clouds from Heav'n to be reveald
  In glory of the Father, to dissolve
  Satan with his perverted World, then raise
  From the conflagrant mass, purg'd and refin'd,
  New Heav'ns, new Earth, Ages of endless date
  Founded in righteousness and peace and love,
  To bring forth fruits Joy and eternal Bliss.                        550
  He ended; and thus Adam last reply'd.
  How soon hath thy prediction, Seer blest,
  Measur'd this transient World, the Race of time,
  Till time stand fixt: beyond is all abyss,
  Eternitie, whose end no eye can reach.
  Greatly instructed I shall hence depart,
  Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill
  Of knowledge, what this vessel can containe;
  Beyond which was my folly to aspire.
  Henceforth I learne, that to obey is best,                          560
  And love with feare the onely God, to walk
  As in his presence, ever to observe
  His providence, and on him sole depend,
  Merciful over all his works, with good
  Still overcoming evil, and by small
  Accomplishing great things, by things deemd weak
  Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise
  By simply meek; that suffering for Truths sake
  Is fortitude to highest victorie,
  And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life;                         570
  Taught this by his example whom I now
  Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest.
  To whom thus also th' Angel last repli'd:
  This having learnt, thou hast attaind the summe
  Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the Starrs
  Thou knewst by name, and all th' ethereal Powers,
  All secrets of the deep, all Natures works,
  Or works of God in Heav'n, Air, Earth, or Sea,
  And all the riches of this World enjoydst,
  And all the rule, one Empire; onely add                             580
  Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add Faith,
  Add Vertue, Patience, Temperance, add Love,
  By name to come call'd Charitie, the soul
  Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath
  To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess
  A Paradise within thee, happier farr.
  Let us descend now therefore from this top
  Of Speculation; for the hour precise
  Exacts our parting hence; and see the Guards,
  By mee encampt on yonder Hill, expect                               590
  Thir motion, at whose Front a flaming Sword,
  In signal of remove, waves fiercely round;
  We may no longer stay: go, waken Eve;
  Her also I with gentle Dreams have calm'd
  Portending good, and all her spirits compos'd
  To meek submission: thou at season fit
  Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard,
  Chiefly what may concern her Faith to know,
  The great deliverance by her Seed to come
  (For by the Womans Seed) on all Mankind.                            600
  That ye may live, which will be many dayes,
  Both in one Faith unanimous though sad,
  With cause for evils past, yet much more cheer'd
  With meditation on the happie end.
  He ended, and they both descend the Hill;
  Descended, Adam to the Bowre where Eve
  Lay sleeping ran before, but found her wak't;
  And thus with words not sad she him receav'd.
  Whence thou returnst, & whither wentst, I know;
  For God is also in sleep, and Dreams advise,                        610
  Which he hath sent propitious, some great good
  Presaging, since with sorrow and hearts distress
  Wearied I fell asleep: but now lead on;
  In mee is no delay; with thee to goe,
  Is to stay here; without thee here to stay,
  Is to go hence unwilling; thou to mee
  Art all things under Heav'n, all places thou,
  Who for my wilful crime art banisht hence.
  This further consolation yet secure
  I carry hence; though all by mee is lost,                           620
  Such favour I unworthie am voutsaft,
  By mee the Promis'd Seed shall all restore.
  So spake our Mother Eve, and Adam heard
  Well pleas'd, but answer'd not; for now too nigh
  Th' Archangel stood, and from the other Hill
  To thir fixt Station, all in bright array
  The Cherubim descended; on the ground
  Gliding meteorous, as Ev'ning Mist
  Ris'n from a River o're the marish glides,
  And gathers ground fast at the Labourers heel                       630
  Homeward returning. High in Front advanc't,
  The brandisht Sword of God before them blaz'd
  Fierce as a Comet; which with torrid heat,
  And vapour as the Libyan Air adust,
  Began to parch that temperate Clime; whereat
  In either hand the hastning Angel caught
  Our lingring Parents, and to th' Eastern Gate
  Let them direct, and down the Cliff as fast
  To the subjected Plaine; then disappeer'd.
  They looking back, all th' Eastern side beheld                      640
  Of Paradise, so late thir happie seat,
  Wav'd over by that flaming Brand, the Gate
  With dreadful Faces throng'd and fierie Armes:
  Som natural tears they drop'd, but wip'd them soon;

  The World was all before them, where to choose
  Thir place of rest, and Providence thir guide:
  They hand in hand with wandring steps and slow,
  Through Eden took thir solitarie way.

  Notes:
  Argument:  The Angel.... seed] Thence from the Flood relates,
  and by degrees explains who that seed 1667.
  1-5 These five lines were added in the Second Edition (1674) when
  the original tenth book was divided into an eleventh and twelfth.

  The End.

                           PARADISE
                           REGAIND.
                              A
                             POEM.
                          In IV BOOKS
                       To which is added
                       SAMSON AGONISTES
  ——————————————————————————————
                          The Author
                          JOHN MILTON
  ——————————————————————————————
  ——————————————————————————————
                            LONDON.
             Printed by J.M. for John Starkey at the
              Mitre in Fleetstreet, near Temple-Bar.
                            MDCLXXI

  I WHO e're while the happy Garden sung,
  By one mans disobedience lost, now sing
  Recover'd Paradise to all mankind,
  By one mans firm obedience fully tri'd
  Through all temptation, and the Tempter foil'd
  In all his wiles, defeated and repuls't,
  And Eden rais'd in the wast Wilderness.
  Thou Spirit who ledst this glorious Eremite
  Into the Desert, his Victorious Field
  Against the Spiritual Foe, and broughtst him thence                  10
  By proof the undoubted Son of God, inspire,
  As thou art wont, my prompted Song else mute,
  And bear through highth or depth of natures bounds
  With prosperous wing full summ'd to tell of deeds
  Above Heroic, though in secret done,
  And unrecorded left through many an Age,
  Worthy t' have not remain'd so long unsung.
  Now had the great Proclaimer with a voice
  More awful then the sound of Trumpet, cri'd
  Repentance, and Heavens Kingdom nigh at hand                         20
  To all Baptiz'd: to his great Baptism flock'd
  With aw the Regions round, and with them came
  From Nazareth the Son of Joseph deem'd
  To the flood Jordan, came as then obscure,
  Unmarkt, unknown; but him the Baptist soon
  Descri'd, divinely warn'd, and witness bore
  As to his worthier, and would have resign'd
  To him his Heavenly Office, nor was long
  His witness unconfirm'd: on him baptiz'd
  Heaven open'd, and in likeness of a Dove                             30
  The Spirit descended, while the Fathers voice
  From Heav'n pronounc'd him his beloved Son
  That heard the Adversary, who roving still
  About the world, at that assembly fam'd
  Would not be last, and with the voice divine
  Nigh Thunder-struck, th' exalted man, to whom
  Such high attest was giv'n, a while survey'd
  With wonder, then with envy fraught and rage
  Flies to his place, nor rests, but in mid air
  To Councel summons all his mighty Peers,                             40
  Within thick Clouds and dark ten-fold involv'd,
  A gloomy Consistory; and them amidst
  With looks agast and sad he thus bespake.
  O ancient Powers of Air and this wide world,
  For much more willingly I mention Air,
  This our old Conquest, then remember Hell
  Our hated habitation; well ye know
  How many Ages, as the years of men,
  This Universe we have possest, and rul'd
  In manner at our will th' affairs of Earth,                          50
  Since Adam and his facil consort Eve
  Lost Paradise deceiv'd by me, though since
  With dread attending when that fatal wound
  Shall be inflicted by the Seed of Eve
  Upon my head, long the decrees of Heav'n
  Delay, for longest time to him is short;
  And now too soon for us the circling hours
  This dreaded time have compast, wherein we
  Must bide the stroak of that long threatn'd wound,
  At least if so we can, and by the head                               60
  Broken be not intended all our power
  To be infring'd, our freedom and our being
  In this fair Empire won of Earth and Air;
  For this ill news I bring, the Womans seed
  Destin'd to this, is late of woman born,
  His birth to our just fear gave no small cause,
  But his growth now to youths full flowr, displaying
  All vertue, grace and wisdom to atchieve
  Things highest, greatest, multiplies my fear.
  Before him a great Prophet, to proclaim                              70
  His coming is sent Harbinger, who all
  Invites, and in the Consecrated stream
  Pretends to wash off sin and fit them so
  Purified to receive him pure, or rather
  To do him honour as their King; all come,
  And he himself among them was baptiz'd,
  Not thence to be more pure, but to receive
  The testimony of Heaven, that who he is
  Thenceforth the Nations may not doubt; I saw
  The Prophet do him reverence, on him rising                          80
  Out of the water, Heav'n above the Clouds
  Unfold her Crystal Dores, thence on his head
  A perfect Dove descend, what e're it meant
  And out of Heav'n the Sov'raign voice I heard,
  This is my Son belov'd, in him am pleas'd.
  His Mother then is mortal, but his Sire,
  He who obtains the Monarchy of Heav'n,
  And what will he not do to advance his Son?
  His first-begot we know, and sore have felt,
  When his fierce thunder drove us to the deep;                        90
  Who this is we must learn, for man he seems
  In all his lineaments, though in his face
  The glimpses of his Fathers glory shine.
  Ye see our danger on the utmost edge
  Of hazard, which admits no long debate,
  But must with something sudden be oppos'd,
  Not force, but well couch't fraud, well woven snares,
  E're in the head of Nations he appear
  Their King, their Leader, and Supream on Earth.
  I, when no other durst, sole undertook                              100
  The dismal expedition to find out
  And ruine Adam, and the exploit perform'd
  Successfully; a calmer voyage now
  Will waft me; and the way found prosperous once
  Induces best to hope of like success.
  He ended, and his words impression left
  Of much amazement to th' infernal Crew,
  Distracted and surpriz'd with deep dismay
  At these sad tidings; but no time was then
  For long indulgence to their fears or grief:                        110
  Unanimous they all commit the care
  And management of this main enterprize
  To him their great Dictator, whose attempt
  At first against mankind so well had thriv'd
  In Adam's overthrow, and led thir march
  From Hell's deep-vaulted Den to dwell in light,
  Regents and Potentates, and Kings, yea gods
  Of many a pleasant Realm and Province wide.
  So to the Coast of Jordan he directs
  His easie steps; girded with snaky wiles,                           120
  Where he might likeliest find this new-declar'd,
  This man of men, attested Son of God,
  Temptation and all guile on him to try;
  So to subvert whom he suspected rais'd
  To end his Raign on Earth so long enjoy'd:
  But contrary unweeting he fulfill'd
  The purpos'd Counsel pre-ordain'd and fixt
  Of the most High, who in full frequence bright
  Of Angels, thus to Gabriel smiling spake.
  Gabriel this day by proof thou shalt behold,                        130
  Thou and all Angels conversant on Earth
  With man or mens affairs, how I begin
  To verifie that solemn message late,
  On which I sent thee to the Virgin pure
  In Galilee, that she should bear a Son
  Great in Renown, and call'd the Son of God;
  Then toldst her doubting how these things could be
  To her a Virgin, that on her should come
  The Holy Ghost, and the power of the highest
  O're-shadow her: this man born and now up-grown,                    140
  To shew him worthy of his birth divine
  And high prediction, henceforth I expose
  To Satan; let him tempt and now assay
  His utmost subtilty, because he boasts
  And vaunts of his great cunning to the throng
  Of his Apostasie; he might have learnt
  Less over-weening, since he fail'd in Job,
  Whose constant perseverance overcame
  Whate're his cruel malice could invent.
  He now shall know I can produce a man                               150
  Of female Seed, far abler to resist
  All his sollicitations, and at length
  All his vast force, and drive him back to Hell,
  Winning by Conquest what the first man lost
  By fallacy surpriz'd.  But first I mean
  To exercise him in the Wilderness,
  There he shall first lay down the rudiments
  Of his great warfare, e're I send him forth
  To conquer Sin and Death the two grand foes,
  By Humiliation and strong Sufferance:                               160
  His weakness shall o'recome Satanic strength
  And all the world, and mass of sinful flesh;
  That all the Angels and Aetherial Powers,
  They now, and men hereafter may discern,
  From what consummate vertue I have chose
  This perfect Man, by merit call'd my Son,
  To earn Salvation for the Sons of men.
  So spake the Eternal Father, and all Heaven
  Admiring stood a space, then into Hymns
  Burst forth, and in Celestial measures mov'd,                       170
  Circling the Throne and Singing, while the hand
  Sung with the voice, and this the argument.
  Victory and Triumph to the Son of God
  Now entring his great duel, not of arms,
  But to vanquish by wisdom hellish wiles.
  The Father knows the Son; therefore secure
  Ventures his filial Vertue, though untri'd,
  Against whate're may tempt, whate're seduce,
  Allure, or terrifie, or undermine.
  Be frustrate all ye stratagems of Hell,                             180
  And devilish machinations come to nought.
  So they in Heav'n their Odes and Vigils tun'd:
  Mean while the Son of God, who yet some days
  Lodg'd in Bethabara where John baptiz'd,
  Musing and much revolving in his brest,
  How best the mighty work he might begin
  Of Saviour to mankind, and which way first
  Publish his God-like office now mature,
  One day forth walk'd alone, the Spirit leading;
  And his deep thoughts, the better to converse                       190
  With solitude, till far from track of men,
  Thought following thought, and step by step led on,
  He entred now the bordering Desert wild,
  And with dark shades and rocks environ'd round,
  His holy Meditations thus persu'd.
  O what a multitude of thoughts at once
  Awakn'd in me swarm, while I consider
  What from within I feel my self and hear
  What from without comes often to my ears,
  Ill sorting with my present state compar'd.                         200
  When I was yet a child, no childish play
  To me was pleasing, all my mind was set
  Serious to learn and know, and thence to do
  What might be publick good; my self I thought
  Born to that end, born to promote all truth,
  All righteous things: therefore above my years,
  The Law of God I read, and found it sweet,
  Made it my whole delight, and in it grew
  To such perfection, that e're yet my age
  Had measur'd twice six years, at our great Feast                    210
  I went into the Temple, there to hear
  The Teachers of our Law, and to propose
  What might improve my knowledge or their own;
  And was admir'd by all, yet this not all
  To which my Spirit aspir'd, victorious deeds
  Flam'd in my heart, heroic acts, one while
  To rescue Israel from the Roman yoke,
  Thence to subdue and quell o're all the earth
  Brute violence and proud Tyrannick pow'r,
  Till truth were freed, and equity restor'd:                        220
  Yet held it more humane, more heavenly first
  By winning words to conquer willing hearts,
  And make perswasion do the work of fear;
  At least to try, and teach the erring Soul
  Not wilfully mis-doing, but unware
  Misled: the stubborn only to subdue.
  These growing thoughts my Mother soon perceiving
  By words at times cast forth inly rejoyc'd,
  And said to me apart, high are thy thoughts
  O Son, but nourish them and let them soar                           230
  To what highth sacred vertue and true worth
  Can raise them, though above example high;
  By matchless Deeds express thy matchless Sire.
  For know, thou art no Son of mortal man,
  Though men esteem thee low of Parentage,
  Thy Father is the Eternal King, who rules
  All Heaven and Earth, Angels and Sons of men,
  A messenger from God fore-told thy birth
  Conceiv'd in me a Virgin, he fore-told
  Thou shouldst be great and sit on David's Throne.                   240
  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,
  And told them the Messiah now was born,
  Where they might see him, and to thee they came;
  Directed to the Manger where thou lais't,
  For in the Inn was left no better room:
  A Star, not seen before in Heaven appearing
  Guided the Wise Men thither from the East,                          250
  To honour thee with Incense, Myrrh, and Gold,
  By whose bright course led on they found the place,
  Affirming it thy Star new grav'n in Heaven,
  By which they knew thee King of Israel born.
  Just Simeon and Prophetic Anna, warn'd
  By Vision, found thee in the Temple, and spake
  Before the Altar and the vested Priest,
  Like things of thee to all that present stood.
  This having heard, strait I again revolv'd
  The Law and Prophets, searching what was writ                       260
  Concerning the Messiah, to our Scribes
  Known partly, and soon found of whom they spake
  I am; this chiefly, that my way must lie
  Through many a hard assay even to the death,
  E're I the promis'd Kingdom can attain,
  Or work redemption for mankind, whose sins
  Full weight must be transferr'd upon my head.
  Yet neither thus disheartn'd or dismay'd,
  The time prefixt I waited, when behold
  The Baptist, (of whose birth I oft had heard,                       270
  Not knew by sight) now come, who was to come
  Before Messiah and his way prepare.
  I as all others to his Baptism came,
  Which I believ'd was from above; but he
  Strait knew me, and with loudest voice proclaim'd
  Me him (for it was shew'n him so from Heaven)
  Me him whose Harbinger he was; and first
  Refus'd on me his Baptism to confer,
  As much his greater, and was hardly won;
  But as I rose out of the laving stream,                             280
  Heaven open'd her eternal doors, from whence
  The Spirit descended on me like a Dove,
  And last the sum of all, my Father's voice,
  Audibly heard from Heav'n, pronounc'd me his,
  Me his beloved Son, in whom alone
  He was well pleas'd; by which I knew the time
  Now full, that I no more should live obscure,
  But openly begin, as best becomes
  The Authority which I deriv'd from Heaven.
  And now by some strong motion I am led                              290
  Into this wilderness, to what intent
  I learn not yet, perhaps I need not know;
  For what concerns my knowledge God reveals.
  So spake our Morning Star then in his rise,
  And looking round on every side beheld
  A pathless Desert, dusk with horrid shades;
  The way he came not having mark'd, return
  Was difficult, by humane steps untrod;
  And he still on was led, but with such thoughts
  Accompanied of things past and to come                              300
  Lodg'd in his brest, as well might recommend
  Such Solitude before choicest Society.
  Full forty days he pass'd, whether on hill
  Sometimes, anon in shady vale, each night
  Under the covert of some ancient Oak,
  Or Cedar, to defend him from the dew,
  Or harbour'd in one Cave, is not reveal'd;
  Nor tasted humane food, nor hunger felt
  Till those days ended, hunger'd then at last
  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 glar'd aloof.
  But now an aged man in Rural weeds,
  Following, as seem'd, the quest of some stray Ewe,
  Or wither'd sticks to gather; which might serve
  Against a Winters day when winds blow keen,
  To warm him wet return'd from field at Eve,
  He saw approach, who first with curious eye
  Perus'd him, then with words thus utt'red spake.                    320
  Sir, what ill chance hath 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 Carcass,  pin'd with hunger and with droughth?
  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,
  What happ'ns new; Fame also finds us out.
  To whom the Son of God.  Who brought me hither
  Will bring me hence, no other Guide I seek,
  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 inur'd
  More then the Camel, and to drink go far,                           340
  Men to much misery and hardship born;
  But if thou be the Son of God, Command
  That out of these hard stones be made thee bread;
  So shalt thou save thy self and us relieve
  With Food, whereof we wretched seldom taste.
  He ended, and the Son of God reply'd.
  Think'st thou such force in Bread? is it not written
  (For I discern thee other then thou seem'st)
  Man lives not by Bread only, but each Word
  Proceeding from the mouth of God; who fed                           350
  Our Fathers here with Manna; in the Mount
  Moses was forty days, nor eat nor drank,
  And forty days Eliah without food
  Wandred this barren waste, the same I now:
  Why dost thou then suggest to me distrust,
  Knowing who I am, as I know who thou art?
  Whom thus answer'd th' Arch Fiend now undisguis'd.
  'Tis true, I am that Spirit unfortunate,
  Who leagu'd with millions more in rash revolt
  Kept not my happy Station, but was driv'n                           360
  With them from bliss to the bottomless deep,
  Vet to that hideous place not so confin'd
  By rigour unconniving, but that oft
  Leaving my dolorous Prison I enjoy
  Large liberty to round this Globe of Earth,
  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
  Gave up into my hands Uzzean Job
  To prove him, and illustrate his high worth;                        370
  And when to all his Angels he propos'd
  To draw the proud King Ahab into fraud
  That he might fall in Ramoth, they demurring,
  I undertook that office, and the tongues
  Of all his flattering Prophets glibb'd with lyes
  To his destruction, as I had in charge.
  For what he bids I do; though I have lost
  Much lustre of my native brightness, lost
  To be belov'd of God, I have not lost
  To love, at least contemplate and admire                            380
  What I see excellent in good, or fair,
  Or vertuous, I should so have lost all sense.
  What can be then less in me then desire
  To see thee and approach thee, whom I know
  Declar'd the Son of God, to hear attent
  Thy wisdom, and behold thy God-like deeds?
  Men generally think me much 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,
  Oft my advice by presages and signs,
  And answers, oracles, portents and dreams,
  Whereby they may direct their future life.
  Envy they say excites me, thus to gain
  Companions of my misery and wo.
  At first it may be; but long since with wo
  Nearer acquainted, now I feel by proof,                             400
  That fellowship in pain divides not smart,
  Nor lightens aught each mans peculiar load.
  Small consolation then, were Man adjoyn'd:
  This wounds me most (what can it less) that Man,
  Man fall'n shall be restor'd, I never more.
  To whom our Saviour sternly thus reply'd.
  Deservedly thou griev'st, compos'd of lyes
  From the beginning, and in lies wilt end;
  Who boast'st release from Hell, and leave to come
  Into the Heav'n of Heavens; thou com'st indeed,                     410
  As a poor miserable captive thrall,
  Comes to the place where he before had sat
  Among the Prime in Splendour, now depos'd,
  Ejected, emptyed, gaz'd, unpityed, shun'd,
  A spectacle of ruin or of scorn
  To all the Host of Heaven; the happy place
  Imparts to thee no happiness, no joy,
  Rather inflames thy torment, representing
  Lost bliss, to thee no more communicable,
  So never more in Hell then when in Heaven.                          420
  But thou art serviceable to Heaven's King.
  Wilt thou impute to obedience what thy fear
  Extorts, or pleasure to do ill excites?
  What but thy malice mov'd thee to misdeem
  Of righteous Job, then cruelly to afflict him
  With all inflictions, but his patience won?
  The other service was thy chosen task,
  To be a lyer in four hundred mouths;
  For lying is thy sustenance, thy food.
  Yet thou pretend'st to truth; all Oracles                           430
  By thee are giv'n, and what confest more true
  Among the Nations? that hath been thy craft,
  By mixing somewhat true to vent more lyes.
  But what have been thy answers, what but dark
  Ambiguous and with double sense deluding,
  Which they who ask'd have seldom understood,
  And not well understood as good not known?
  Who ever by consulting at thy shrine
  Return'd the wiser, or the more instruct
  To flye or follow what concern'd him most,                          440
  And run not sooner to his fatal snare?
  For God hath justly giv'n the Nations up
  To thy Delusions; justly, since they fell
  Idolatrous, but when his purpose is
  Among them to declare his Providence
  To thee not known, whence hast thou then thy truth,
  But from him or his Angels President
  In every Province, who themselves disdaining
  To approach thy Temples, give thee in command
  What to the smallest tittle thou shalt say                          450
  To thy Adorers; thou with trembling fear,
  Or like a Fawning Parasite obey'st;
  Then to thy self ascrib'st the truth fore-told.
  But this thy glory shall be soon retrench'd;
  No more shalt thou by oracling abuse
  The Gentiles; henceforth Oracles are ceast,
  And thou no more with Pomp and Sacrifice
  Shalt be enquir'd at Delphos or elsewhere,
  At least in vain, for they shall find thee mute.
  God hath now sent his living Oracle                                 460
  Into the World, to teach his final will,
  And sends his Spirit of Truth henceforth to dwell
  In pious Hearts, an inward Oracle
  To all truth requisite for men to know.
  So spake our Saviour; but the subtle Fiend,
  Though inly stung with anger and disdain,
  Dissembl'd, and this answer smooth return'd.
  Sharply thou hast insisted on rebuke,
  And urg'd me hard with doings, which not will
  But misery hath rested from me; where                               470
  Easily canst thou find one miserable,
  And not inforc'd oft-times to part from truth;
  If it may stand him more in stead to lye,
  Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or abjure?
  But thou art plac't above me, thou art Lord;
  From thee I can and must submiss endure
  Check or reproof, and glad to scape so quit.
  Hard are the ways of truth, and rough to walk,
  Smooth on the tongue discourst, pleasing to th' ear,
  And tuneable as Silvan Pipe or Song;                               480
  What wonder then if I delight to hear
  Her dictates from thy mouth? most men admire
  Vertue, who follow not her lore: permit me
  To hear thee when I come (since no man comes)
  And talk at least, though I despair to attain.
  Thy Father, who is holy, wise and pure,
  Suffers the Hypocrite or Atheous Priest
  To tread his Sacred Courts, and minister
  About his Altar, handling holy things,
  Praying or vowing, and vouchsaf'd his voice                         490
  To Balaam reprobate, a Prophet yet
  Inspir'd; disdain 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
  Permission from above; thou canst not more.
  He added not; and Satan bowing low
  His gray dissimulation, disappear'd
  Into thin Air diffus'd: for now began
  Night with her sullen wing to double-shade                          500
  The Desert Fowls in thir clay nests were couch't;
  And now wild Beasts came forth the woods to roam.

  The End of the First Book.