So spake our father penitent, nor Eve
Felt less remorse: they forthwith to the place
Repairing where he judg'd them, prostrate fell
Before him reverent, and both confess'd

·
Humbly their faults, and pardon begg’d, with tears
Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign
Of sorrow' unfeign'd, and humiliation meek.

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END OF THE TENTU BOOK.

ARGUMENT.

The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our

first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them. God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise : Sends Michael with a band of Cherubim to dispossess them ; but first to reveal to Adam future things. Michael's coming down. Adam shews to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael's approach, goes out to meet him: the Angel denounces their departure. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits. The Angel leads him up to a high hill, sets before him in vision what shall happen till the flood.

BOOK Xİ.

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THUS they in lowliest plight repentant stood
Praying; for from the mercy-seat above
Prevenient grace descending had removd
The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh
Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breath'd
Unutterable, which the Spi'rit of prayer
Inspir'd, and wing'd for Heav'n with speedier flight
Than loudest oratory: yet their port
Not of mean suitors, nor important less
Seem'd their petition, than when th' ancient pair
In fables old, less ancient yet than these,
Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore
The race of mankind drown’d, before the shrine
Of Themis stood devout. To Heav'n their prayers
Flew up, nor miss'd the way, hy envious winds
Blown vagabond oi frustrate: in they pass'd
Dimensionless throygh heavenly doors; then clad
With incense, where the golden altar fum'd,
By their great intercessor, came in sight
Before the Father's throne: them the glad Son
Presenting, thus to intercede began.

" See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung
From thy implanted grace in Man, these sighs
And pray’rs, which in this golden censer, mix’d
With incense, I, thy priest, before thee bring,
Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed
Sown with contrition in his heart, than those
Which his own hand manuring all the trees

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