That spot to which I point is Paradise,

Adam's abode, those lofty fhades his bower.
Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires."
Thus faid, he turn'd; and Satan, bowing low,
As to fuperior Spi'rits is wont in Heaven,
Where honour due and reverence none neglects,
Took leave, and tow'ard the coast of earth beneath,
Down from th' ecliptic, fped with hop'd fuccefs,
Throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel,
Nor ftay'd, till on Niphates' top he lights.

THE END OF THE THIRD BOOK.

THE ARGUMENT.

Satan, now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he muft now attempt the bold enterprife which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many paffions, fear, envy, and defpair; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and fituation is described, overleaps the bounds, fits in the shape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as highest in the garden, to look about him. The garden described; Satan's first fight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and happy state, but with resolution to work their fall; overhears their discourse, thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his temptation, by seducing them to tranfgrefs: then leaves them a while, to know further of their state by fome other means. Meanwhile Uriel, descending on a fun-beam, warns Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradise, that some evil Spirit had escap'd the deep, and paffed at noon by his fphere, in the shape of a good Angel, down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures in the mount. Gabriel promifes to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourfe of going to their reft: their bower described; their evening worship. Gabriel, drawing forth his bands of night-watch to walk the round of Paradife, appoints two ftrong Angels to Adam's bower, left the evil Spirit should be there doing fome harm to Adam or Eve sleeping: there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel; by whom question'd, he fcornfully answers, prepares refiftance, but, hinder'd by a fign from Heaven, flies out of Paradife.

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK IV.

O FOR that warning voice, which he who faw
Th' Apocalypfe heard cry in Heav'n aloud,
Then when the Dragon, put to second rout,
Came furious down to be reveng'd on men,
"Woe to th' inhabitants on earth!" that now,

While time was, our first parents had been warn'd
The coming of their secret foe, and 'scap'd,

Haply fo fcap'd his mortal ínare: for now

Satan, now first inflam'd with rage, came down,

The tempter ere th' accufer of mankind,
To wreck on innocent frail man his lofs
Of that first battle, and his flight to Hell:
Yet not rejoicing in his speed, though bold
Far off and fearless, nor with caufe to boast,
Begins his dire attempt, which, nigh the birth,
Now rolling boils in his tumultuous breast,
And like a devilish engine back recoils
Upon himself; horror and doubt distract