תמונות בעמוד
PDF
ePub

The second time returning, in his Bill
An Olive leaf he brings, pacific fign:
Anon dry ground appears, and from his Ark
The ancient Sire defcends with all his Train;
Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout
Grateful to Heav'n, over his head beholds
A dewy Cloud, and in the Cloud a Bow
Confpicuous with three lifted colours gay,
Betok'ning peace from God, and Cov'nant new
Whereat the heart of Adam erft fo fad

Greatly rejoyc'd, and thus his joy broke forth.

O thou who future things canft represent
As prefent, Heav'nly Inftructor, I revive
At this last fight, affur'd that Man shall live
With all the Creatures, and their seed preserve.
Far lefs I now lament for one whole World
Of wicked Sons destroy'd, than I rejoice
For one Man found fo perfect and so just,
That God voutsafes to raise another World

From him, and all his anger to forget.

860

865

But fay, what mean those colour'd streaks in Heav'n,
Diftended as the Brow of God appeas'd,

Or ferve they as a floury verge to bind
The fluid skirts of that fame watry Cloud,
Left it again diffolve and show'r the Earth?

870

875

To whom th' Archangel. Dextrously thou aim'ft; So willingly doth God remit his Ire,

Though late repenting him of Man deprav'd,
Griev'd at his heart when looking down he faw

880

885

The whole Earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh

Corrupting each their way; yet those remov'd,

Such grace fhall One just Man find in his fight,

890

That he relents, not to blot out Mankind,

And makes a Covenant never to destroy

The

Surpafs his bounds, nor Rain to drown the World
With Man therein or Beast ; but when he brings
Over the Earth a Cloud, will therein fet
His triple-colour'd Bow, whereon to look
And call to mind his Cov❜nant: Day and Night,
Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost
Shall hold their courfe, till fire purge all things new
Both Heav'n and Earth, wherein the juft fhall dwell.

The Earth again by flood, nor let the Sea

[merged small][ocr errors]

2

The End of the Eleventh Book.

PARA

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK XII.

The ARGUMENT.

[ocr errors]

T

The Angel Michael continues from the Flood to relate what ball fucceed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by de-` grees to explain, who that Seed of the Woman Jhall be, which was promised Adam and Eve in the Fall; his Incarnation, Death, Refurrection, and Afcenfion; the State of the Church till his fecond Coming. Adam greatly satisfied and recomforted by thefe Relations and Promifes defcends the Hill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams compos'd to quietnefs of mind and fubmiffion. Michael wakens Eve who all this while had flept, but with gentle dreams compos'd to quietnefs of mind and fubmiffion. Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradife, the fiery Sword waving behind them, and the Cherubim taking their Stations to guard the Place.

U 2

A'S

S one who in his journey bates at Noon, Tho' bent on speed, fo here the Archange paus'd

Betwixt the World deftroy'd and World
reftor'd,

If Adam aught perhaps might interpofe;
Then with Transition sweet new speech refumes.

Thus thou haft feen one World begin and end;
And Man as from a second stock proceed.
Much thou haft yet to fee, but I perceive
Thy mortal fight to fail; objects divine
Muft needs impair and weary humán sense:
Henceforth what is to come I will relate,
Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.
This fecond fource of Men, while yet but few,
And while the dread of Judgment past remains
Fresh in their minds fearing the Deity,
With fome regard to what is just and right

[ocr errors]

Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace,

Labouring the foil, and reaping plenteous crop,
Corn, wine and oyl; and from the herd or flock,
Oft facrificing Bulloek, Lamb, or Kid,
With large Wine-offerings pour'd, and facred Feast,
Shall spend their days in joy unblam'd, and dwell
Long time in peace by Families and Tribes

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

Under paternal rule; till One shall rise

Of proud ambitious heart, who not content

25

With fair equality, fraternal ftate,

Will arrogate Dominion undeserv'd

Over his brethren, and quite difpoffefs

Concord and law of Nature from the Earth,
Hunting (and Men not Beasts shall be his game)
With War and hoftile fnare fuch as refuse
Subjection to his Empire tyrannous:

A mighty Hunter thence he shall be ftyl'd
Before the Lord, as in defpite of Heav'n,

[merged small][ocr errors][subsumed]
« הקודםהמשך »