The Poetical Works of John Milton

  MEAN while the new-baptiz'd, who yet remain'd
  At Jordan with the Baptist, and had seen
  Him whom they heard so late expresly call'd
  Jesus Messiah Son of God declar'd,
  And on that high Authority had believ'd,
  And with him talkt, and with him lodg'd, I mean
  Andrew and Simon, famous after known
  With others though in Holy Writ not nam'd,
  Now missing him thir joy so lately found,
  So lately found, and so abruptly gone,                               10
  Began to doubt, and doubted many days,
  And as the days increas'd, increas'd thir doubt:
  Sometimes they thought he might be only shewn,
  And for a time caught up to God, as once
  Moses was in the Mount, and missing long;
  And the great Thisbite who on fiery wheels
  Rode up to Heaven, yet once again to come.
  Therefore as those young Prophets then with care
  Sought lost Eliah, so in each place these
  Nigh to Bethabara; in Jerico                                         20
  The City of Palms, Aenon, and Salem Old,
  Machaerus and each Town or City wall'd
  On this side the broad lake Genezaret
  Or in Perea, but return'd in vain.
  Then on the bank of Jordan, by a Creek:
  Where winds with Reeds, and Osiers whisp'ring play
  Plain Fishermen, no greater men them call,
  Close in a Cottage low together got
  Thir unexpected loss and plaints out breath'd.
  Alas from what high hope to what relapse                             30
  Unlook'd for are we fall'n, our eyes beheld
  Messiah certainly now come, so long
  Expected of our Fathers; we have heard
  His words, his wisdom full of grace and truth,
  Now, now, for sure, deliverance is at hand,
  The Kingdom shall to Israel be restor'd:
  Thus we rejoyc'd, but soon our joy is turn'd
  Into perplexity and new amaze:
  For whither is he gone, what accident
  Hath rapt him from us? will he now retire                            40
  After appearance, and again prolong
  Our expectation?  God of Israel,
  Send thy Messiah forth, the time is come;
  Behold the Kings of the Earth how they oppress
  Thy chosen, to what highth thir pow'r unjust
  They have exalted, and behind them cast
  All fear of thee, arise and vindicate
  Thy Glory, free thy people from thir yoke,
  But let us wait; thus far he hath perform'd,
  Sent his Anointed, and to us reveal'd him,                           50
  By his great Prophet, pointed at and shown,
  In publick, and  with him we have convers'd;
  Let us be glad of this, and all our fears
  Lay on his Providence; he will not fail
  Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall,
  Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence,
  Soon we shall see our hope, our joy return.
  Thus they out of their plaints new hope resume
  To find whom at the first they found unsought:
  But to his Mother Mary, when she saw                                 60
  Others return'd from Baptism, not her Son,
  Nor left at Jordan, tydings of him none;
  Within her brest, though calm; her brest though pure,
  Motherly cares and fears got head, and rais'd
  Some troubl'd thoughts, which she in sighs thus clad.
  O what avails me now that honour high
  To have conceiv'd of God, or that salute
  Hale highly favour'd, among women blest;
  While I to sorrows am no less advanc't,
  And fears as eminent, above the lot                                  70
  Of other women, by the birth I bore,
  In such a season born when scarce a Shed
  Could be obtain'd to shelter him or me
  From the bleak air; a Stable was our warmth,
  A Manger his, yet soon enforc't to flye
  Thence into Egypt, till the Murd'rous King
  Were dead, who sought his life, and missing fill'd
  With Infant blood the streets of Bethlehem;
  From Egypt home return'd, in Nazareth
  Hath been our dwelling many years, his life                          80
  Private, unactive, calm, contemplative,
  Little suspicious to any King; but now
  Full grown to Man, acknowledg'd, as I hear,
  By John the Baptist, and in publick shown,
  Son own'd from Heaven by his Father's voice;
  I  look't for some great change; to Honour? no,
  But trouble, as old Simeon plain foretold,
  That to the fall and rising he should be
  Of  Many in Israel, and to a sign
  Spoken against, that through my very Soul                            90
  A sword shall pierce, this is my favour'd lot,
  My Exaltation to Afflictions high;
  Afflicted I may be, it seems, and blest;
  I will not argue that, nor will repine.
  But where delays he now? some great intent
  Conceals him: when twelve years he scarce had seen,
  I lost him, but so found, as well I saw
  He could not lose himself; but went about
  His Father's business; what he meant I mus'd,
  Since understand; much more his absence now                         100
  Thus long to some great purpose he obscures.
  But I to wait with patience am inur'd;
  My heart hath been a store-house long of things
  And sayings laid up, portending strange events.
  Thus Mary pondering oft, and oft to mind
  Recalling what remarkably had pass'd
  Since first her Salutation heard, with thoughts
  Meekly compos'd awaited the fulfilling:
  The while her Son tracing the Desert wild,
  Sole but with holiest Meditations fed,                              110
  Into himself descended, and at once
  All his great work to come before him set;
  How to begin, how to accomplish best
  His end of being on Earth, and mission high:
  For Satan with slye preface to return
  Had left him vacant, and with speed was gon
  Up to the middle Region of thick Air,
  Where all his Potentates in Council sate;
  There without sign of boast, or sign of joy,
  Sollicitous and blank he thus began.                                120
  Princes, Heavens antient Sons, Aethereal Thrones,
  Demonian Spirits now, from the Element
  Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd,
  Powers of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth beneath,
  So may we hold our place and these mild seats
  Without new trouble; such an Enemy
  Is ris'n to invade us, who no less
  Threat'ns then our expulsion down to Hell;
  I, as I undertook, and with the vote
  Consenting in full frequence was impowr'd,                          130
  Have found him, view'd him, tasted him, but find
  Far other labour to be undergon
  Then when I dealt with Adam first of Men,
  Though Adam by his Wives allurement fell,
  However to this Man inferior far,
  If he be Man by Mothers side at least,
  With more then humane gifts from Heav'n adorn'd,
  Perfections absolute, Graces divine,
  And amplitude of mind to greatest Deeds.
  Therefore I am return'd, lest confidence                            140
  Of my success with Eve in Paradise
  Deceive ye to perswasion over-sure
  Of like succeeding here; I summon all
  Rather to be in readiness, with hand
  Or counsel to assist; lest I who erst
  Thought none my equal, now be over-match'd.
  So spake the old Serpent doubting, and from all
  With clamour was assur'd thir utmost aid
  At his command; when from amidst them rose
  Belial the dissolutest Spirit that fell                             150
  The sensuallest, and after Asmodai
  The fleshliest Incubus, and thus advis'd.
  Set women in his eye and in his walk,
  Among daughters of men the fairest found;
  Many are in each Region passing fair
  As the noon Skie; more like to Goddesses
  Then Mortal Creatures, graceful and discreet,
  Expert in amorous Arts, enchanting tongues
  Perswasive, Virgin majesty with mild
  And sweet allay'd, yet terrible to approach,                        160
  Skill'd to retire, and in retiring draw
  Hearts after them tangl'd in Amorous Nets.
  Such object hath the power to soft'n and tame
  Severest temper, smooth the rugged'st brow,
  Enerve, and with voluptuous hope dissolve,
  Draw out with credulous desire, and lead
  At will the manliest, resolutest brest,
  As the Magnetic hardest Iron draws.
  Women, when nothing else, beguil'd the heart
  Of wisest Solomon, and made him build,                              170
  And made him bow to the Gods of his Wives.
  To whom quick answer Satan thus return'd
  Belial in much uneven scale thou weigh'st
  All others by thy self; because of old
  Thou thy self doat'st on womankind, admiring
  Thir shape, thir colour, and attractive grace,
  None are, thou think'st, but taken with such toys.
  Before the Flood thou with thy lusty Crew,
  False titl'd Sons of God, roaming the Earth
  Cast wanton eyes on the daughters of men,                           180
  And coupl'd with them, and begot a race.
  Have we not seen, or by relation heard,
  In Courts and Regal Chambers how thou lurk'st,
  In Wood or Grove by mossie Fountain side,
  In Valley or Green Meadow to way-lay
  Some beauty rare, Calisto, Clymene,
  Daphne, or Semele, Antiopa,
  Or Amymone, Syrinx, many more
  Too long, then lay'st thy scapes on names ador'd,
  Apollo, Neptune, Jupiter, or Pan,                                   190
  Satyr, or Fawn, or Silvan? But these haunts
  Delight not all; among the Sons of Men,
  How many have with a smile made small account
  Of beauty and her lures, easily scorn'd
  All her assaults, on worthier things intent?
  Remember that Pellean Conquerour,
  A youth, how all the Beauties of the East
  He slightly view'd, and slightly over-pass'd;
  How hee sirnam'd of Africa dismiss'd
  In his prime youth the fair Iberian maid.                           200
  For Solomon he liv'd at ease, and full
  Of honour, wealth, high fare, aim'd not beyond
  Higher design then to enjoy his State;
  Thence to the bait of Women lay expos'd;
  But he whom we attempt is wiser far
  Then Solomon, of more exalted mind,
  Made and set wholly on the accomplishment
  Of greatest things; what woman will you find,
  Though of this Age the wonder and the fame,
  On whom his leisure will vouchsafe an eye                           210
  Of fond desire? or should she confident,
  As sitting Queen ador'd on Beauties Throne,
  Descend with all her winning charms begirt
  To enamour, as the Zone of Venus once
  Wrought that effect on Jove, so Fables tell;
  How would one look from his Majestick brow
  Seated as on the top of Vertues hill,
  Discount'nance her despis'd, and put to rout
  All her array; her female pride deject,
  Or turn to reverent awe? for Beauty stands                          220
  In the admiration only of weak minds
  Led captive; cease to admire, and all her Plumes
  Fall flat and shrink into a trivial toy,
  At every sudden slighting quite abasht:
  Therefore with manlier objects we must try
  His constancy, with such as have more shew
  Of worth, of honour, glory, and popular praise;
  Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wreck'd;
  Or that which only seems to satisfie
  Lawful desires of Nature, not beyond;                               230
  And now I know he hungers where no food
  Is to be found, in the wide Wilderness;
  The rest commit to me, I shall let pass
  No advantage, and his strength as oft assay.
  He ceas'd, and heard thir grant in loud acclaim;
  Then forthwith to him takes a chosen band
  Of Spirits likest to himself in guile
  To be at hand, and at his beck appear,
  If cause were to unfold some active Scene
  Of various persons each to know his part;                           240
  Then to the Desert takes with these his flight;
  Where still from shade to shade the Son of God
  After forty days fasting had remain'd,
  Now hungring first, and to himself thus said.
  Where will this end? four times ten days I have pass'd
  Wandring this woody maze, and humane food
  Nor tasted, nor had appetite: that Fast
  To Vertue I impute not, or count part
  Of what I suffer here; if Nature need not,
  Or God support Nature without repast                                250
  Though needing, what praise is it to endure?
  But now I feel I hunger, which declares,
  Nature hath need of what she asks; yet God
  Can satisfie that need some other way,
  Though hunger still remain: so it remain
  Without this bodies wasting, I content me,
  And from the sting of Famine fear no harm,
  Nor mind it, fed with better thoughts that feed
  Mee hungring more to do my Fathers will.
  It was the hour of night, when thus the Son                         260
  Commun'd in silent walk, then laid him down
  Under the hospitable covert nigh
  Of Trees thick interwoven; there he slept,
  And dream'd, as appetite is wont to dream,
  Of meats and drinks, Natures refreshment sweet;
  Him thought, he by the Brook of Cherith stood
  And saw the Ravens with thir horny beaks
  Food to Elijah bringing Even and Morn,
  Though ravenous, taught to abstain from what they brought:
  He saw the Prophet also how he fled                                 270
  Into the Desert, and how there he slept
  Under a Juniper; then how awakt,
  He found his Supper on the coals prepar'd,
  And by the Angel was bid rise and eat,
  And eat the second time after repose,
  The strength whereof suffic'd him forty days;
  Sometimes that with Elijah he partook,
  Or as a guest with Daniel at his pulse.
  Thus wore out night, and now the Herald Lark
  Left his ground-nest, high towring to descry                        280
  The morns approach, and greet her with his Song:
  As lightly from his grassy Couch up rose
  Our Saviour, and found all was but a dream,
  Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting wak'd.
  Up to a hill anon his steps he rear'd,
  From whose high top to ken the prospect round,
  If Cottage were in view, Sheep-cote or Herd;
  But Cottage, Herd or Sheep-cote none he saw,
  Only in a bottom saw a pleasant Grove,
  With chaunt of tuneful Birds resounding loud;                       290
  Thither he bent his way, determin'd there
  To rest at noon, and entr'd soon the shade
  High rooft and walks beneath, and alleys brown
  That open'd in the midst a woody Scene,
  Natures own work it seem'd (Nature taught Art)
  And to a Superstitious eye the haunt
  Of Wood-Gods and Wood-Nymphs; he view'd it round,
  When suddenly a man before him stood,
  Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad,
  As one in City, or Court, or Palace bred,                           300
  And with fair speech these words to him address'd.
  With granted leave officious I return,
  But much more wonder that the Son of God
  In this wild solitude so long should bide
  Of all things destitute, and well I know,
  Not without hunger.  Others of some note,
  As story tells, have trod this Wilderness;
  The Fugitive Bond-woman with her Son
  Out cast Nebaioth, yet found he relief
  By a providing Angel; all the race                                  310
  Of Israel here had famish'd, had not God
  Rain'd from Heaven Manna, and that Prophet bold
  Native of Thebes wandring here was fed
  Twice by a voice inviting him to eat.
  Of thee these forty days none hath regard,
  Forty and more deserted here indeed.
  To whom thus Jesus; what conclud'st thou hence?
  They all had need, I as thou seest have none.
  How hast thou hunger then?  Satan reply'd,
  Tell me if Food were now before thee set,                           320
  Would'st thou not eat?  Thereafter as I like
  The giver, answer'd Jesus. Why should that
  Cause thy refusal, said the subtle Fiend,
  Hast thou not right to all Created things,
  Owe not all Creatures by just right to thee
  Duty and Service, nor to stay till bid,
  But tender all their power? nor mention I
  Meats by the Law unclean, or offer'd first
  To Idols, those young Daniel could refuse;
  Nor proffer'd by an Enemy, though who                               330
  Would scruple that, with want opprest? behold
  Nature asham'd, or better to express,
  Troubl'd that thou should'st hunger, hath purvey'd
  From all the Elements her choicest store
  To treat thee as beseems, and as her Lord
  With honour, only deign to sit and eat.
  He spake no dream, for as his words had end,
  Our Saviour lifting up his eyes beheld
  In ample space under the broadest shade
  A Table richly spred, in regal mode,                                340
  With dishes pil'd, and meats of noblest sort
  And savour, Beasts of chase, or Fowl of game,
  In pastry built, or from the spit, or boyl'd,
  Gris-amber-steam'd; all Fish from Sea or Shore,
  Freshet, or purling Brook, of shell or fin,
  And exquisitest name, for which was drain'd
  Pontus and Lucrine Bay, and Afric Coast.
  Alas how simple, to these Cates compar'd,
  Was that crude Apple that diverted Eve!
  And at a stately side-board by the wine                             350
  That fragrant smell diffus'd, in order stood
  Tall stripling youths rich clad, of fairer hew
  Then Ganymed or Hylas, distant more
  Under the Trees now trip'd, now solemn stood
  Nymphs of Diana's train, and Naiades
  With fruits and flowers from Amalthea's horn,
  And Ladies of th' Hesperides, that seem'd
  Fairer then feign'd of old, or fabl'd since
  Of Fairy Damsels met in Forest wide
  By Knights of Logres, or of Lyones,                                 360
  Lancelot or Pelleas, or Pellenore,
  And all the while Harmonious Airs were heard
  Of chiming strings, or charming pipes and winds
  Of gentlest gale Arabian odors fann'd
  From their soft wings, and flora's earliest smells.
  Such was the Splendour, and the Tempter now
  His invitation earnestly renew'd.
  What doubts the Son of God to sit and eat?
  These are not Fruits forbidden, no interdict
  Defends the touching of these viands pure,                          370
  Thir taste no knowledge works, at least of evil,
  But life preserves, destroys life's enemy,
  Hunger, with sweet restorative delight.
  All these are Spirits of Air, and Woods, and Springs,
  Thy gentle Ministers, who come to pay
  Thee homage, and acknowledge thee thir Lord:
  What doubt'st thou Son of God? sit down and eat.
  To whom thus Jesus temperately reply'd:
  Said'st thou not that to all things I had right?
  And who withholds my pow'r that right to use?                       380
  Shall I receive by gift what of my own,
  When and where likes me best, I can command?
  I can at will, doubt not, as soon as thou,
  Command a Table in this Wilderness,
  And call swift flights of Angels ministrant
  Array'd in Glory on my cup to attend:
  Why shouldst thou then obtrude this diligence,
  In vain, where no acceptance it can find,
  And with my hunger what hast thou to do?
  Thy pompous Delicacies I contemn,                                   390
  And count thy specious gifts no gifts but guiles.
  To whom thus answer'd Satan malecontent:
  That I have also power to give thou seest,
  If of that pow'r I bring thee voluntary
  What I might have bestow'd on whom I pleas'd.
  And rather opportunely in this place
  Chose to impart to thy apparent need,
  Why shouldst thou not accept it? but I see
  What I can do or offer is suspect;
  Of these things others quickly will dispose                         400
  Whose pains have earn'd the far fet spoil.  With that
  Both Table and Provision vanish'd quite
  With sound of Harpies wings, and Talons heard;
  Only the importune Tempter still remain'd,
  And with these words his temptation pursu'd.
  By hunger, that each other Creature tames,
  Thou art not to be harm'd, therefore not mov'd;
  Thy temperance invincible besides,
  For no allurement yields to appetite,
  And all thy heart is set on high designs,                           410
  High actions: but wherewith to be atchiev'd?
  Great acts require great means of enterprise,
  Thou art unknown, unfriended, low of birth,
  A Carpenter thy Father known, thy self
  Bred up in poverty and streights at home;
  Lost in a Desert here and hunger-bit:
  Which way or from what hope dost thou aspire
  To greatness? whence Authority deriv'st,
  What Followers, what Retinue canst thou gain,
  Or at thy heels the dizzy Multitude,                                420
  Longer then thou canst feed them on thy cost?
  Money brings Honour, Friends, Conquest, and Realms;
  What rais'd Antipater the Edomite,
  And his Son Herod plac'd on Juda's Throne;
  (Thy throne) but gold that got him puissant friends?
  Therefore, if at great things thou wouldst arrive,
  Get Riches first, get Wealth, and Treasure heap,
  Not difficult, if thou hearken to me,
  Riches are mine, Fortune is in my hand;
  They whom I favour thrive in wealth amain,                          430
  While Virtue, Valour, Wisdom sit in want.
  To whom thus Jesus patiently reply'd;
  Yet Wealth without these three is impotent,
  To gain dominion or to keep it gain'd.
  Witness those antient Empires of the Earth,
  In highth of all thir flowing wealth dissolv'd:
  But men endu'd with these have oft attain'd
  In lowest poverty to highest deeds;
  Gideon and Jephtha, and the Shepherd lad,
  Whose off-spring on the Throne of Juda sat                          440
  So many Ages, and shall yet regain
  That seat, and reign in Israel without end.
  Among the Heathen, (for throughout the World
  To me is not unknown what hath been done
  Worthy of Memorial) canst thou not remember
  Quintius, Fabricius, Curius, Regulus?
  For I esteem those names of men so poor
  Who could do mighty things, and could contemn
  Riches though offer'd from the hand of Kings.
  And what in me seems wanting, but that I                            450
  May also in this poverty as soon
  Accomplish what they did, perhaps and more?
  Extol not Riches then, the toyl of Fools
  The wise mans cumbrance if not snare, more apt
  To slacken Virtue, and abate her edge,
  Then prompt her to do aught may merit praise.
  What if with like aversion I reject
  Riches and Realms; yet not for that a Crown,
  Golden in shew, is but a wreath of thorns,
  Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and sleepless nights               460
  To him who wears the Regal Diadem,
  When on his shoulders each mans burden lies;
  For therein stands the office of a King,
  His Honour, Vertue, Merit and chief Praise,
  That for the Publick all this weight he bears.
  Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules
  Passions, Desires, and Fears, is more a King;
  Which every wise and vertuous man attains:
  And who attains not, ill aspires to rule
  Cities of men, or head-strong Multitudes,                           470
  Subject himself to Anarchy within,
  Or lawless passions in him which he serves.
  But to guide Nations in the way of truth
  By saving Doctrine, and from errour lead
  To know, and knowing worship God aright,
  Is yet more Kingly, this attracts the Soul,
  Governs the inner man, the nobler part,
  That other o're the body only reigns,
  And oft by force, which to a generous mind
  So reigning can be no sincere delight.                              480
  Besides to give a Kingdom hath been thought
  Greater and nobler done, and to lay down
  Far more magnanimous, then to assume.
  Riches are needless then, both for themselves,
  And for thy reason why they should be sought,
  To gain a Scepter, oftest better miss't.

  Note: 309 he] here 1695.

  The End of the Second Book.

  So spake the Son of God, and Satan stood
  A while as mute confounded what to say,
  What to reply, confuted and convinc't
  Of his weak arguing, and fallacious drift;
  At length collecting all his Serpent wiles,
  With soothing words renew'd, him thus accosts.
  I see thou know'st what is of use to know,
  What best to say canst say, to do canst do;
  Thy actions to thy words accord, thy words
  To thy large heart give utterance due, thy heart                     10
  Conteins of good, wise, just, the perfect shape.
  Should Kings and Nations from thy mouth consult,
  Thy Counsel would be as the Oracle
  Urim and Thummin, those oraculous gems
  On Aaron's breast: or tongue of Seers old
  Infallible; or wert thou sought to deeds
  That might require th' array of war, thy skill
  Of conduct would be such, that all the world
  Could not sustain thy Prowess, or subsist
  In battel, though against thy few in arms.                           20
  These God-like Vertues wherefore dost thou hide?
  Affecting private life, or more obscure
  In savage Wilderness, wherefore deprive
  All Earth her wonder at thy acts, thy self
  The fame and glory, glory the reward
  That sole excites to high attempts the flame
  Of most erected Spirits, most temper'd pure
  Aetherial, who all pleasures else despise,
  All treasures and all gain esteem as dross,
  And dignities and powers all but the highest?                        30
  Thy years are ripe, and over-ripe, the Son
  Of Macedonian Philip had e're these
  Won Asia and the Throne of Cyrus held
  At his dispose, young Scipio had brought down
  The Carthaginian pride, young Pompey quell'd
  The Pontic King and in triumph had rode.
  Yet years, and to ripe years judgment mature,
  Quench not the thirst of glory, but augment.
  Great Julius, whom now all the world admires,
  The more he grew in years, the more inflam'd                         40
  With glory, wept that he had liv'd so long
  Inglorious: but thou yet art not too late.
  To whom our Saviour calmly thus reply'd.
  Thou neither dost perswade me to seek wealth
  For Empires sake, nor Empire to affect
  For glories sake by all thy argument.
  For what is glory but the blaze of fame,
  The peoples praise, if always praise unmixt?
  And what the people but a herd confus'd,
  A miscellaneous rabble, who extol                                    50
  Things vulgar, & well weigh'd, scarce worth the praise,
  They praise and they admire they know not what;
  And know not whom, but as one leads the other;
  And what delight to be by such extoll'd,
  To live upon thir tongues and be thir talk,
  Of whom to be disprais'd were no small praise?
  His lot who dares be singularly good.
  Th' intelligent among them and the wise
  Are few; and glory scarce of few is rais'd.
  This is true glory and renown, when God                              60
  Looking on the Earth, with approbation marks
  The just man, and divulges him through Heaven
  To all his Angels, who with true applause
  Recount his praises; thus he did to Job,
  When to extend his fame through Heaven & Earth,
  As thou to thy reproach mayst well remember,
  He ask'd thee, hast thou seen my servant Job?
  Famous he was in Heaven, on Earth less known;
  Where glory is false glory, attributed
  To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame.                      70
  They err who count it glorious to subdue
  By Conquest far and wide, to over-run
  Large Countries, and in field great Battels win,
  Great Cities by assault: what do these Worthies,
  But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave
  Peaceable Nations, neighbouring, or remote,
  Made Captive, yet deserving freedom more
  Then those thir Conquerours, who leave behind
  Nothing but ruin wheresoe're they rove,
  And all the flourishing works of peace destroy,                      80
  Then swell with pride, and must be titl'd Gods,
  Great Benefactors of mankind, Deliverers,
  Worship't with Temple, Priest and Sacrifice;
  One is the Son of Jove, of Mars the other,
  Till Conquerour Death discover them scarce men,
  Rowling in brutish vices, and deform'd,
  Violent or shameful death thir due reward.
  But if there be in glory aught of good,
  It may by means far different be attain'd
  Without ambition, war, or violence;                                  90
  By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent,
  By patience, temperance; I mention still
  Him whom thy wrongs with Saintly patience born,
  Made famous in a Land and times obscure;
  Who names not now with honour patient Job?
  Poor Socrates (who next more memorable?)
  By what he taught and suffer'd for so doing,
  For truths sake suffering death unjust, lives now
  Equal in fame to proudest Conquerours.
  Yet if for fame and glory aught be done,                            100
  Aught suffer'd; if young African for fame
  His wasted Country freed from Punic rage,
  The deed becomes unprais'd, the man at least,
  And loses, though but verbal, his reward.
  Shall I seek glory then, as vain men seek
  Oft not deserv'd?  I seek not mine, but his
  Who sent me, and thereby witness whence I am.
  To whom the Tempter murmuring thus reply'd.
  Think not so slight of glory; therein least,
  Resembling thy great Father: he seeks glory,                        110
  And for his glory all things made, all things
  Orders and governs, nor content in Heaven
  By all his Angels glorifi'd, requires
  Glory from men, from all men good or bad,
  Wise or unwise, no difference, no exemption;
  Above all Sacrifice, or hallow'd gift
  Glory he requires, and glory he receives
  Promiscuous from all Nations, Jew, or Greek,
  Or Barbarous, nor exception hath declar'd;
  From us his foes pronounc't glory he exacts.                        120
  To whom our Saviour fervently reply'd.
  And reason; since his word all things produc'd,
  Though chiefly not for glory as prime end,
  But to shew forth his goodness, and impart
  His good communicable to every soul
  Freely; of whom what could he less expect
  Then glory and benediction, that is thanks,
  The slightest, easiest, readiest recompence
  From them who could return him nothing else,
  And not returning that would likeliest render                       130
  Contempt instead, dishonour, obloquy?
  Hard recompence, unsutable return
  For so much good, so much beneficence.
  But why should man seek glory? who of his own
  Hath nothing, and to whom nothing belongs
  But condemnation, ignominy, and shame?
  Who for so many benefits receiv'd
  Turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and false,
  And so of all true good himself despoil'd,
  Yet, sacrilegious, to himself would take                            140
  That which to God alone of right belongs;
  Yet so much bounty is in God, such grace,
  That who advance his glory, not thir own,
  Them he himself to glory will advance.
  So spake the Son of God; and here again
  Satan had not to answer, but stood struck
  With guilt of his own sin, for he himself
  Insatiable of glory had lost all,
  Yet of another Plea bethought him soon.
  Of glory as thou wilt, said he, so deem,                            150
  Worth or not worth the seeking, let it pass:
  But to a Kingdom thou art born, ordain'd
  To sit upon thy Father David's Throne;
  By Mother's side thy Father, though thy right
  Be now in powerful hands, that will not part
  Easily from possession won with arms;
  Judaea now and all the promis'd land
  Reduc't a Province under Roman yoke,
  Obeys Tiberius; nor is always rul'd
  With temperate sway; oft have they violated                         160
  The Temple, oft the Law with foul affronts,
  Abominations rather, as did once
  Antiochus: and think'st thou to regain
  Thy right by sitting still or thus retiring?
  So did not Machabeus: he indeed
  Retir'd unto the Desert, but with arms;
  And o're a mighty King so oft prevail'd,
  That by strong hand his Family obtain'd,
  Though Priests, the Crown, and David's Throne usurp'd,
  With Modin and her Suburbs once content.                            170
  If Kingdom move thee not, let move thee Zeal,
  And Duty; Zeal and Duty are not slow;
  But on Occasions forelock watchful wait.
  They themselves rather are occasion best,
  Zeal of thy Fathers house, Duty to free
  Thy Country from her Heathen servitude;
  So shalt thou best fullfil, best verifie
  The Prophets old, who sung thy endless raign,
  The happier raign the sooner it begins,
  Raign then; what canst thou better do the while?                    180
  To whom our saviour answer thus return'd.
  All things are best fullfil'd in thir due time,
  And time there is for all things, Truth hath said:
  If of my raign Prophetic Writ hath told
  That it shall never end, so when begin
  The Father in his purpose hath decreed,
  He in whose hand all times and seasons roul.
  What if he hath decreed that I shall first
  Be try'd in humble state, and things adverse,
  By tribulations, injuries, insults,                                 190
  Contempts, and scorns, and snares, and violence,
  Suffering, abstaining, quietly expecting
  Without distrust or doubt, that he may know
  What I can suffer, how obey? who best
  Can suffer, best can do; best reign, who first
  Well hath obey'd; just tryal e're I merit
  My exaltation without change or end.
  But what concerns it thee when I begin
  My everlasting Kingdom, why art thou
  Sollicitous, what moves thy inquisition?                            200
  Know'st thou not that my rising is thy fall,
  And my promotion will be thy destruction?
  To whom the Tempter inly rackt reply'd.
  Let that come when it comes; all hope is lost
  Of my reception into grace; what worse?
  For where no hope is left, is left no fear;
  If there be worse, the expectation more
  Of worse torments me then the feeling can.
  I would be at the worst; worst is my Port.
  My harbour and my ultimate repose,                                  210
  The end I would attain, my final good.
  My error was my error, and my crime
  My crime; whatever for it self condemn'd
  And will alike be punish'd; whether thou
  Raign or raign not; though to that gentle brow
  Willingly I could flye, and hope thy raign,
  From that placid aspect and meek regard,
  Rather then aggravate my evil state,
  Would stand between me and thy Fathers ire,
  (Whose ire I dread more then the fire of Hell,)                     220
  A shelter and a kind of shading cool
  Interposition, as a summers cloud.
  If I then to the worst that can be hast,
  Why move thy feet so slow to what is best,
  Happiest both to thy self and all the world,
  That thou who worthiest art should'st be thir King?
  Perhaps thou linger'st in deep thoughts detain d
  Of the enterprize so hazardous and high;
  No wonder, for though in thee be united
  What of perfection can in man be found,                             230
  Or human nature can receive, consider
  Thy life hath yet been private, most part spent
  At home, scarce view'd the Gallilean Towns
  And once a year Jerusalem, few days
  Short sojourn; and what thence could'st thou observe?
  The world thou hast not seen, much less her glory,
  Empires, and Monarchs, and thir radiant Courts
  Best school of best experience, quickest in sight
  In all things that to greatest actions lead.
  The wisest, unexperienc't, will be ever                             240
  Timorous and loth, with novice modesty,
  (As he who seeking Asses found a Kingdom)
  Irresolute, unhardy, unadventrous:
  But I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit
  Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes
  The Monarchies of the Earth, thir pomp and state,
  Sufficient introduction to inform
  Thee, of thy self so apt, in regal Arts,
  And regal Mysteries; that thou may'st know
  How best their opposition to withstand.                             250
  With that (such power was giv'n him then) he took
  The Son of God up to a Mountain high.
  It was a Mountain at whose verdant feet
  A spatious plain out strech't in circuit wide
  Lay pleasant; from his side two rivers flow'd,
  Th' one winding, the other strait and left between
  Fair Champain with less rivers interveind,
  Then meeting joyn'd thir tribute to the Sea:
  Fertil of corn the glebe, of oyl and wine,
  With herds the pastures throng'd, with flocks the hills,            260
  Huge Cities and high towr'd, that well might seem
  The seats of mightiest Monarchs, and so large
  The Prospect was, that here and there was room
  For barren desert fountainless and dry.
  To this high mountain top the Tempter brought
  Our Saviour, and new train of words began.
  Well have we speeded, and o're hill and dale,
  Forest and field, and flood, Temples and Towers
  Cut shorter many a league; here thou behold'st
  Assyria and her Empires antient bounds,                             270
  Araxes and the Caspian lake, thence on
  As far as Indus East, Euphrates West,
  And oft beyond; to South the Persian Bay,
  And inaccessible the Arabian drouth:
  Here Ninevee, of length within her wall
  Several days journey, built by Ninus old,
  Of that first golden Monarchy the seat,
  And seat of Salmanassar, whose success
  Israel in long captivity still mourns;
  There Babylon the wonder of all tongues,                            280
  As antient, but rebuilt by him who twice
  Judah and all thy Father David's house
  Led captive, and Jerusalem laid waste,
  Till Cyrus set them free; Persepolis
  His City there thou seest, and Bactra there;
  Ecbatana her structure vast there shews,
  And Hecatompylos her hunderd gates,
  There Susa by Choaspes, amber stream,
  The drink of none but Kings; of later fame
  Built by Emathian, or by Parthian hands,                            290
  The great Seleucia, Nisibis, and there
  Artaxata, Teredon, Tesiphon,
  Turning with easie eye thou may'st behold.
  All these the Parthian, now some Ages past,
  By great Arsaces led, who founded first
  That Empire, under his dominion holds
  From the luxurious Kings of Antioch won.
  And just in time thou com'st to have a view
  Of his great power; for now the Parthian King
  In Ctesiphon hath gather'd all his Host                             300
  Against the Scythian, whose incursions wild
  Have wasted Sogdiana; to her aid
  He marches now in hast; see, though from far,
  His thousands, in what martial equipage
  They issue forth, Steel Bows, and Shafts their arms
  Of equal dread in flight, or in pursuit;
  All Horsemen, in which fight they most excel;
  See how in warlike muster they appear,
  In Rhombs and wedges, and half moons, and wings.
  He look't and saw what numbers numberless                           310
  The City gates out powr'd, light armed Troops
  In coats of Mail and military pride;
  In Mail thir horses clad, yet fleet and strong,
  Prauncing their riders bore, the flower and choice
  Of many Provinces from bound to bound;
  From Arachosia, from Candaor East,
  And Margiana to the Hyrcanian cliffs
  Of Caucasus, and dark Iberian dales,
  From Atropatia and the neighbouring plains
  Of Adiabene, Media, and the South                                   320
  Of Susiana to Balsara's hav'n.
  He saw them in thir forms of battell rang'd,
  How quick they wheel'd, and flying behind them shot
  Sharp sleet of arrowie showers against the face
  Of thir pursuers, and overcame by flight;
  The field all iron cast a gleaming brown,
  Nor wanted clouds of foot, nor on each horn,
  Cuirassiers all in steel for standing fight;
  Chariots or Elephants endorst with Towers
  Of Archers, nor of labouring Pioners                                330
  A multitude with Spades and Axes arm'd
  To lay hills plain, fell woods, or valleys fill,
  Or where plain was raise hill, or over-lay
  With bridges rivers proud, as with a yoke;
  Mules after these, Camels and Dromedaries,
  And Waggons fraught with Utensils of war.
  Such forces met not, nor so wide a camp,
  When Agrican with all his Northern powers
  Besieg'd Albracca, as Romances tell;
  The City of Gallaphrone, from thence to win                         340
  The fairest of her Sex Angelica
  His daughter, sought by many Prowest Knights,
  Both Paynim, and the Peers of Charlemane.
  Such and so numerous was thir Chivalrie;
  At sight whereof the Fiend yet more presum'd,
  And to our Saviour thus his words renew'd.
  That thou may'st know I seek not to engage
  Thy Vertue, and not every way secure
  On no slight grounds thy safety; hear, and mark
  To what end I have brought thee hither and shewn                    350
  All this fair sight; thy Kingdom though foretold
  By Prophet or by Angel, unless thou
  Endeavour, as thy Father David did,
  Thou never shalt obtain; prediction still
  In all things, and all men, supposes means,
  Without means us'd, what it predicts revokes.
  But say thou wer't possess'd of David's Throne
  By free consent of all, none opposite,
  Samaritan or Jew; how could'st thou hope
  Long to enjoy it quiet and secure,                                  360
  Between two such enclosing enemies
  Roman and Parthian? therefore one of these
  Thou must make sure thy own, the Parthian first
  By my advice, as nearer and of late
  Found able by invasion to annoy
  Thy country, and captive lead away her Kings
  Antigonus, and old Hyrcanus bound,
  Maugre the Roman: it shall be my task
  To render thee the Parthian at dispose;
  Chuse which thou wilt by conquest or by league                      370
  By him thou shalt regain, without him not,
  That which alone can truly reinstall thee
  In David's royal seat, his true Successour,
  Deliverance of thy brethren, those ten Tribes
  Whose off-spring in his Territory yet serve
  In Habor, and among the Medes dispers't,
  Ten Sons of Jacob, two of Joseph lost
  Thus long from Israel; serving as of old
  Thir Fathers in the land of Egypt serv'd,
  This offer sets before thee to deliver.                             380
  These if from servitude thou shalt restore
  To thir inheritance, then, nor till then,
  Thou on the Throne of David in full glory,
  From Egypt to Euphrates and beyond
  Shalt raign, and Rome or Caesar not need fear.
  To whom our Saviour answer'd thus unmov'd.
  Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm,
  And fragile arms, much instrument of war
  Long in preparing, soon to nothing brought,
  Before mine eyes thou hast set; and in my ear                       390
  Vented much policy, and projects deep
  Of enemies, of aids, battels and leagues,
  Plausible to the world, to me worth naught.
  Means I must use thou say'st, prediction else
  Will unpredict and fail me of the Throne:
  My time I told thee, (and that time for thee
  Were better farthest off) is not yet come;
  When that comes think not thou to find me slack
  On my part aught endeavouring, or to need
  Thy politic maxims, or that cumbersome                              400
  Luggage of war there shewn me, argument
  Of human weakness rather then of strength.
  My brethren, as thou call'st them; those Ten Tribes
  I must deliver, if I mean to raign
  David's true heir, and his full Scepter sway
  To just extent over all Israel's Sons;
  But whence to thee this zeal, where was it then
  For Israel or for David, or his Throne,
  When thou stood'st up his Tempter to the pride
  Of numbring Israel which cost the lives                             410
  Of threescore and ten thousand Israelites
  By three days Pestilence? such was thy zeal
  To Israel then, the same that now to me.
  As for those captive Tribes, themselves were they
  Who wrought their own captivity, fell off
  From God to worship Calves, the Deities
  Of Egypt, Baal next and Ashtaroth,
  And all the Idolatries of Heathen round,
  Besides thir other worse then heathenish crimes;
  Nor in the land of their captivity                                  420
  Humbled themselves, or penitent besought
  The God of their fore-fathers; but so dy'd
  Impenitent, and left a race behind
  Like to themselves, distinguishable scarce
  From Gentils, but by Circumcision vain,
  And God with Idols in their worship joyn'd.
  Should I of these the liberty regard,
  Who freed, as to their antient Patrimony,
  Unhumbl'd, unrepentant, unreform'd,
  Headlong would follow; and to thir Gods perhaps                     430
  Of Bethel and of Dan? no, let them serve
  Thir enemies, who serve Idols with God.
  Yet he at length, time to himself best known,
  Remembring Abraham by some wond'rous call
  May bring them back repentant and sincere,
  And at their passing cleave the Assyrian flood,
  While to their native land with joy they hast,
  As the Red Sea and Jordan once he cleft,
  When to the promis'd land thir Fathers pass'd;
  To his due time and providence I leave them.                        440
  So spake Israel's true King, and to the Fiend
  Made answer meet, that made void all his wiles.
  So fares it when with truth falshood contends.

  The End of the Third Book.