And multiply a race of worshippers So fung, they, and the empyrean rung afk'd, 630 that 635 How first thisw orld and face of things began, Inform'd by thee might know. If else thou seek'st Ought, not surpaffing human meafure, fay, 640 The End of the Seventh Book. R BOOK VIII. The Angel ended, and in Adam's ear So charming left his voice, that he a while Thought him ftill fpeaking, ftill ftood fix'd to hear; Then, as new'd, thus gratefully reply'd. What thanks fufficient, or what recom Equal, have I to render thee, divine Hiftorian? who thus largely haft allay'd The thirst I had of knowledge, and vouchfaf'd This friendly condefcenfion to relate Things, elfe by me unfearchable; heard now 10 With wonder, but delight; and, as is due, Spaces incomprehenfible, for fuch 20 Their distance argues, and their swift return Diurnal, merely to officiate light 25 Round this opacous earth, this punctual spot, Greater fo manifold to this one use, For ought appears, and on their orbs impose 30 Such restless, revolution day by day Repeated, while the fedentary earth, That better might with far lefs compass move, So fpake our fire, and by his count'nance feem'd Entring on studious thoughts abftrufe; which Eve Perceiving, where she sat retir'd in sight, 40 And grace, that won who faw to wifh her stay; Rofe, and went forth among her fruits and flow'rs, To vifit how they profper'd, but and bloom, 45 Of what was high: fnch pleasure she referv'd, Adam relating, fhe fole auditress: Her husban the relater she preferr❜d Before the Angel, and of him to ask 50 Chofe rather: he, The knew, would intermix Grateful digreffions, and folve high difpute 55 With conjugal careffes: from his lip 60 Not words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now 65 To afk or fearch I blame thee not, for Heav'n Is as the book of God before thee fet, Wherein to read his wondrous works, and learn His feafons, hours, or days, or months or years: This to attain, whether Heav'n move or Earth, 70 .75 Imports not, if thou reckon right; the reft contrive To save appearances; how gird the sphere 85 Already by thy reasoning this I guess, run, 90 Earth fitting ftill, when she alone receives 95 |