And temple of his mighty Father throned Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss. Thus measuring things in Heaven by things on earth, At thy request, and that thou may'st beware By what is past, to thee I have revealed What might have else to human race been hid: Which would be all his solace and revenge, Of disobedience; firm they might have stood, BOOK VII. RAPHAEL, at the request of Adam, relates how and wherefore this world was first created; that God, after the expelling of Satan and his angels out of Heaven, declared his pleasure to create another world, and other creatures to dwell therein; sends his Son with glory, and attendance of angels, to perform the work of creation in six days: the angels celebrate with hymns the performance thereof, and his re-ascension into Heaven. ESCEND from Heaven, Urania-by that name If rightly thou art called-whose voice divine The meaning, not the name, I call; for thou as once Standing on earth, not wrapt above the pole, Visit'st my slumbers nightly, or when Morn my song, Purples the east. Still govern thou Of that wild rout that tore the Thracian bard Say, goddess, what ensued when Raphael, To those apostates, lest the like befall In Paradise to Adam or his race, Charged not to touch the interdicted tree, If they transgress, and slight that sole command, Of all tastes else to please their appetite Though wandering. He, with his consorted Eve, The story heard attentive, and was filled With admiration and deep muse, to hear Of things so high and strange; things to their thought And war so near the peace of God in bliss, |