Marocco, and Algiers, and Tremifen: On Europe thence, and where Rome was to fway 405 The world: in fpirit perhaps he also saw Had bred; then purg'd with euphrasy and rue 420 But him the gentle Angel by the hand hold Th' effects, which thy original crime hath wrought *) Manoa. E 2 Nor finn'd thy fin: yet from that fin derive Corruption, to bring forth more violent deeds. His eyes he open'd, ond beheld a field, Part arable and tilth, whereon were fhea ves 430 New reap'd: the other part, fheep-walks and folds: In the midst an altar as the land-mark stood, A fweaty reaper from his tillage brought Uncull'd, as came to hand. A fhepherd next More meek, came with the firstlings of his flock, Choiceft and beft: then sacrificing, laid The inwards and their fat, with incense ftrow'd, On the cleft wood, and all due rites per His offering foon propitious fire from Heav'n Confum'd with nimble glance, and grateful fteam. The other's not, for his was not fincere. Smote him into the midriff with a ftone, 445 That beat out life: he fell, and deadly pale Groan'd out his foul with gufhing blood effus'd! Much at that fight was Adam in his heart Dismay'd, and thus in hafte to th' Angel cry'd. O Teacher! fome great mischief hath be fali'n 450. To that meek man, who well had facrific'd: Is piety thus, end pure devotion paid? T' whom Michael thus, he alfo mov'd, re ply'd: These two are brethren, Adam, and to come Out of thy loins: th' unjuft the juft hath For envy, that his brother's offering found From Heav'n acceptance: but the bloody fact Will be aveng'd; and th' other's faith approv'd, Lofe no reward, though here thou see him die, Rolling in dust and gore. To which our fire: 460 Alas, both for the deed and for the cause! But have I now feen Death? is this the way I must return to native duft? O fight Of terror, foul and ugly to behold, Horrid to think, how horrible to feel! 465 To whom thus Michael. Death thou haft seen In his first shape on man: but many shapes By fire, flood, famine: by intemperance. more In meats and drinks, which on the earth fhall bring Diseases dire: of which a monftrous crew Before thee shall appear; that thou may'st know, What mifery th' inabstinence of Eve 475 Shall bring on men. Immediately a place Befere his eyes appear'd, fad, noifome, dark, A lazar-house it feem'd; wherein were laid Numbers of all difeas'd: all maladies 480 Of ghaftly fpafm, or racking torture, qualms Of heart-fick agony, all fev'rous kind's, Convulfions, epilepfies, fierce catarrhs, Inteftin ftone, and ulcer, cholic pangs, Daemoniac phrenzy, moaping melancholy, 485 And moon-ftruck madness, pining atrophy,. Marafmus, and wide-wafting peftilence, Droplies, and afthmas, and joint-raching rheums. Dire was the toffing, deep the groans! Despair Tended the fick bufieft from couch to couch: 490 And over them triumphant Death his dart Shook; but delay'd to ftrike, though oft invok'd With vows, as their chief good, and final hope, Sight fo deform what heart of rock could long Dry-ey'd behold? Adam could not, but wept, 495 Though not of woman born; compallion quell'd His beft of man, and gave him up to tears 500 O miferable mankind! to what fall Degraded, to what wretched state referv'd! Better end here unborn! Way is life giv'n To be thus wrefted from us? rather, why Obtruded on us thus? who, if we knew, What we receive, would either not ac Life offer'd; or foon beg to lay it down; 510 |