Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub, Fenc'd up Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine,
the verdant wall; each beauteous flower,
Such was their awe of Man. In shadier bower More sacred and sequester'd, though but feign'd, Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor nymph, Nor Faunus haunted. Here in close recess, With flowers, garlands, and sweet-smelling herbs, Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed, And heav'nly quires the hymenæan sung, What day the genial Angel to our sire Brought her, in naked beauty more adorn'd, More lovely than Pandora, whom the Gods Endow'd with all their gifts, and O too like Įn şad event, when to th' unwiser sou Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnar'd Mankind with her fair looks, to be aveng'd On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.
Thus, at their shady lodge arriv'd, both stood, Both turn'd, and under open sky ador'd
The God that made both sky, air, earth, and heaven, Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe, And starry pole: "Thou also mad'st the night, Maker Omnipotent, and thou the day, Which we in our appointed work employ'd Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss Ordain'd by thee, and this delicious place For us too large, where thy abundance wants
Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. But thou hast promis'd from us two a race To fill the earth, who shall with us extol Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep." This said unanimous, and other rites Observing none, but adoration pure
Which God likes best, into their immost bower Handed they went; and, eas'd the putting off
These troublesome disguises which we wear,
Straight side by side were laid; nor turn'd I ween
Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites Mysterious of connubial love refus'd: Whatever hypocrites austerely talk Of purity, and place, and innocence, Defaming as impure what God declares
Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all.
But our destroyer, foe to God and Man?
Hail, wedded Love, mysterious law, true source Of human offspring, sole propriety
In Paradise, of all things common else!
By thee adult'rous lust was driven from men
Among the bestial herds to range; by thee,
Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure,
Relations dear, and all the charities
Of father, son, and brother, first were known.
Far be it that I should write thee sin or blame, Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets, Whose bed is undefil'd and chaste pronounc'd, Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs us'd! Here love his golden shafts employs, here lights His constant lamp, and waves his purple wings, Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd,
Casual fruition; nor in court amours, Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, Or serenade, which the starv'd lover sings
To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.
These lull'd by nightingales embracing slept, And on their naked limbs the flow'ry roof
Show'r'd roses, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on, Blest pair; and O yet happiest, if ye
No happier state, and know to know no more.
Now had night measur'd with her shadowy cone
Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault, And from their ivory port the Cherubim Forth issuing at th' accustom'd hour stood arm'd To their night watches in warlike parade, When Gabriel to his next in pow'r thus spake. "Uzziel, half these draw off and coast the south With strictest watch; these other wheel the north; Our circuit meets full west." As flame they part, Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. From these, two strong and subtle Spi'rits he call'd That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge. "Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing'd speed Search thro' this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook; But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harm.,
This evening from the sun's decline arriv'd
Who tells of some infernal Spirit seen
Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap'd The bars of Hell, on errand had no doubt : Such where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring."
So saying, on he led his radiant files,
Dazzling the moon; these to the bower direct
In search of whom they sought him there they found
Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve,
Assaying by his devilish art to reach
The organs of her fancy', and with them forge
Illusions as he list, phantasms and dreams; Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint Th' animal spirits that from pure blood arise Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise At least distemper'd, discontented thoughts, Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, Blown up with high conceits ingend'ring pride. Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear
Touch'd lightly; for no falsehood can endure Touch of celestial temper, but returns. Of force to its own likeness: up he starts
Discover'd and surpris'd. As when a spark incel Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid
Fit for the tun, some magazine to store
Against a rumour'd war, the smutty grain / 590 With sudden blaze diffus'd inflames the air:
So started up in his own shape the Fiend. Back stept those two fair Angels, half amaz'd So sudden to behold the grisly king; Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accost him soon. "Which of those rebel Spi'rits adjudg'd to Hell Com'st thou, escap'd thy prison? and transform'd, Why sat'st thou like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of these that sleep?"
Know ye not then," said Satan fill'd with scorn,
"Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar: Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, The lowest of your throng; or, if ye know Why ask ye, and superfluous begin
Your message, like to end as much in vain?"
To whom thus Zephon, answ'ring scorn with scorn. “Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same, Or undiminish'd brightness, to be known As when thou stood'st in Heav'n upright and pure; That glory then, when thou no more wast good,
Departed from thee'; and thou resemblest now Thy sin and place of doom, obscure and foul. But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep This place inviolable, and these from harm."
So spake the Cherub; and his grave rebuke, Severe in youthful beauty, added grace Invincible; abash'd the Devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is, and saw Virtue' in her shape how lovely; saw, His loss; but chiefly to find here observ'd His lustre visibly impair'd; yet seem'd Undaunted." If I must contend," said he, "Best with the best, the sender not the sent, Or all at once; more glory will be won, Or less be lost." " Thy fear," said Zephon bold, "Will save us trial what the least can do Single against thee wicked, and thence weak."
The Fiend reply'd not, overcome with rage; But, like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, Champing his iron curb: to strive or fly He held it vain; awe from above had quell'd His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh The western point, where those half-rounding guards Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd, Awaiting next command. To whom their chief Gabriel from the front thus call'd aloud.
"O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade, And with them comes a third of regal port, But faded splendour wan; who, by his gait And fierce demeanour, seems the prince of Hell, Not likely to part hence without contest; Stand firm, for in his look defiance low'rs."
He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd,
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