Adam inquires concerning celeftial Motions, is doubtfully answer'd, and exhorted to Search rather things more worthy of knowledge: Adam affents, and ftill defirous to detain Raphael, relates to him what he remember'd fince his own Creation, his placing in Paradife, his talk with God concerning folitude and fit fociety, his first meeting and Nuptials with Eve, his dif course with the Angel thereupon; who after admonitions repeated departs.
HE Angel ended, and in Adam's Ear
So Charming left his voice, that he a While
Thought him still speaking, ftill food fixt
Then as new wak'd thus gratefully reply'd.
What thanks fufficient, or what recompence
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 condefcension to relate
Things elfe by me unfearchable, now heard
With wonder, but delight, and, as is due,
With glory attributed to the high
Creator; fomething yet of doubt remains,
Which only thy folution can refolve.
When I behold this goodly Frame, this World
Of Heav'n and Earth confifting, and compute
Their magnitudes, this Earth a fpot, a grain,
An atom, with the Firmament compar'd
And all her number'd Stars, that seem to rowl
Spaces incomprehenfible, (for fuch
Their distance argues, and their swift return
Diurnal) meerly to officiate light
Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot,
One day and night; in all their vaft furvey
Useless befides, reasoning I oft admire,
How Nature wife and frugal could commit
Such difproportions, with fuperfluous hand,
So many nobler Bodies to create,
Greater fo manifold, to this one use,
For ought appears, and on their Orbs impofe
Such reftlefs revolution day by day
Repeated; while the Sedentary Earth,
That better might with far lefs compass move,
Serv'd by more noble than her felf, attains
Her end without least motion, and receives
As Tribute such a sumless journey brought
Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light;
Speed, to describe whofe fwiftness Number fails.
So fpake our Sire, and by his count'nance feem'd
Entring on studious thoughts abstrufe, which Eve
Perceiving where she fat retir'd in fight,
With lowlinefs Majestick from her feat,
And Grace that won who saw to wish her stay,
Rose, and went forth among her Fruits and Flours,
To vifit how they prosper'd, bud and bloom,
Her Nursery; they at her coming sprung
And touch'd by her fair tendance gladlier grew.
Yet went fhe not, as not with fuch discourse
Delighted, or not Capable her ear
Of what was High: such pleasure she reserv'd,
Adam relating, she fole Auditrefs;
Her Husband the Relater fhe preferr'd
Before the Angel, and of him to ask
Chofe rather: He, fhe knew, would intermix
Grateful digreffions, and folve high dispute
With conjugal Cateffes: from his Lip,
Not Words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now
Such pairs, in Love and mutual Honour joyn'd?
With Goddefs-like demeanour forth fhe went ;
Not unattended, for on her as Queen
A pomp of winning Graces waited ftill,
And from about her fhot Darts of defire
Into all Eyes to wish her still in fight.
And Raphael now to Adam's doubt propos'd
Benevolent and facil thus reply'd.
To ask 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 Seasons, Hours, or Days, or Months, or Years: 70 This to attain, whether Heav'n move or Earth,
Imports not, if thou reckon right, the reft
From Man or Angel the great Architect
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