ParaDise Lost (1667)
Books 7-9
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Paradise Lost: The Seventh Book THE ARGUMENT.—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 reascension into Heaven. DESCEND from Heaven, Urania [DM50], by that name If rightly thou art called, whose voice divine Following, above the Olympian hill I soar, Above the flight of Pegasean wing! The meaning, not the name, I call; for thou 5 Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top Of old Olympus dwell’st; but, heavenly—born, Before the hills appeared or fountain flowed, Thou with Eternal Wisdom didst converse, Wisdom thy sister, and with her didst play 10 In presence of the Almighty Father, pleased With thy celestial song. Up led by thee, Into the Heaven of Heavens I have presumed, An earthly guest, and drawn empyreal[JH54] air, Thy tempering. With like safety guided down, 15 Return me to my native element; Lest, from this flying steed unreined [DM51] (as once Bellerophon [MJ 54], though from a lower clime) Dismounted, on the Aleian field I fall, Erroneous there to wander and forlorn[EG17]. 20 Half yet remains unsung, but narrower bound Within the visible Diurnal Sphere. [JM53] Standing on Earth, not rapt above the pole, More safe I sing with mortal voice [DM52], unchanged To hoarse or mute, though fallen on evil days, 25 On evil days though fallen, and evil tongues, In darkness, and with dangers compassed round, And solitude; yet not alone, while thou Visit’st my slumbers nightly, or when Morn Purples the East. Still govern thou my song, 30 Urania, and fit audience find, though few. But drive far off the barbarous dissonance Of Bacchus [DM53] and his revellers, [SH54] the race Of that wild rout that tore the Thracian Bard [RD50] In Rhodope[EG18], where woods and rocks had ears 35 To rapture, till the savage clamour drowned Both harp and voice; nor could the Muse defend Her son. So fail not thou who thee implores; For thou art heavenly, she an empty dream. Say, Goddess, what ensued when Raphael, 40 The affable[JH55] Archangel, had forewarned Adam, by dire example, to beware Apostasy, [RD51] by what befell in Heaven To those apostates, lest the like befall In Paradise to Adam or his race, 45 Charged not to touch the interdicted[JH56] Tree, If they transgress, and slight that sole command, So easily obeyed amid the choice Of all tastes else to please their appetite, Though wandering. He, with his consorted Eve, 50 The story heard attentive, and was filled With admiration and deep muse, to hear Of things so high and strange—things to their thought So unimaginable as hate in Heaven, And was so near the peace of God in bliss, 55 With such confusion; but the evil, soon Driven back, redounded as a flood on those From whom it sprung, impossible to mix With blessedness. Whence Adam soon repealed The doubts that in his heart arose; and, now 60 Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know What nearer might concern him—how this World Of heaven and earth conspicuous first began; When, and whereof, created; for what cause; What within Eden, or without, was done 65 Before his memory—as one whose drouth, Yet scarce allayed, still eyes the current stream, Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites, Proceeded thus to ask his Heavenly Guest:— “Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, 70 Far differing from this World, thou hast revealed, Divine Interpreter! by favour sent Down from the Empyrean[RC50] to forewarn Us timely of what might else have been our loss, Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach; 75 For which to the infinitely Good we owe Immortal thanks, and his admonishment Receive with solemn purpose to observe Immutably [CH54] his sovran will, the end Of what we are. But, since thou hast voutsafed 80 Gently, for our instruction, to impart Things above Earthly thought, which yet concerned Our knowing, as to highest Wisdom seemed, Deign to descend now lower, and relate What may no less perhaps avail us known— 85 How first began this Heaven which we behold Distant so high, with moving fires adorned Innumerable; and this which yields or fills All space, the ambient Air, wide interfused, Imbracing round this florid Earth; what cause 90 Moved the Creator, in his holy rest Through all eternity, so late to build In Chaos; and, the work begun, how soon Absolved: if unforbid thou may’st unfold What we not to explore the secrets ask 95 Of his eternal empire, but the more To magnify his works the more we know. And the great Light of Day yet wants to run Much of his race, though steep. Suspense in heaven Held by thy voice, thy potent voice he hears 100 And longer will delay, to hear thee tell His generation, and the rising birth Of Nature from the unapparent Deep: Or, if the Star of Evening and the Moon Haste to thy audience, Night with her will bring 105 Silence, and Sleep listening to thee will watch; Or we can bid his absence till thy song End, and dismiss thee ere the morning shine.” Thus Adam his illustrious guest besought; And thus the godlike Angel answered mild:— 110 “This also thy request, with caution asked, Obtain; though to recount Almighty works What words or tongue of Seraph [JM56] can suffice, Or heart of man suffice to comprehend? Yet what thou canst attain, which best may serve 115 To glorify the Maker, and infer Thee also happier, shall not be withheld Thy hearing. Such commission from above I have received, to answer thy desire Of knowledge within bounds; beyond abstain 120 To ask, nor let thine own inventions hope Things not revealed, which the invisible King, Only Omniscient, hath suppressed in night, To none communicable in Earth or Heaven, Enough is left besides to search and know; 125 But Knowledge is as food, and needs no less Her temperance over appetite, to know In measure what the mind may well contain; Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind. 130 “Know then that, after Lucifer from Heaven (So call him, brighter once amidst the host Of Angels then that star the stars among) Fell with his flaming Legions through the Deep Into his place, and the great Son returned 135 Victorious with his Saints, the Omnipotent [MJ 56] Eternal Father from his Throne beheld Their multitude, and to his Son thus spake:— “‘At least our envious foe hath failed, who thought All like himself rebellious; by whose aid 140 This inaccessible high strength, the seat Of Deity supreme, us dispossessed, He trusted to have seized, and into fraud Drew many whom their place knows here no more. Yet far the greater part have kept, I see, 145 Their station; Heaven, yet populous, retains Number sufficient to possess her realms, Though wide, and this high temple to frequent With ministeries due and solemn rites. But, lest his heart exalt him in the harm 150 Already done, to have dispeopled Heaven— My damage fondly deemed—I can repair That detriment, [SH55] if such it be to lose Self-lost, and in a moment will create Another world; out of one man a race 155 Of men innumerable, there to dwell, Not here, till, by degrees of merit raised, They open to themselves at length the way Up hither, under long obedience tried, And Earth be changed to Heaven, and Heaven to Earth, 160 One kingdom, joy and union without end. Meanwhile inhabit lax, ye Powers of Heaven; And thou, my Word, begotten Son, by thee This I perform; speak thou, and be it done! My overshadowing Spirit and might with thee 165 I send along; ride forth, and bid the Deep Within appointed bounds be heaven and earth. Boundless the Deep, because I am who fill Infinitude; nor vacuous[JH57] the space, Though I, uncircumscribed[RC51], myself retire, 170 And put not forth my goodness, which is free To act or not. Necessity and Chance Approach not me, and what I will is Fate.’ “So spake the Almighty; and to what he spake His Word, the Filial [CH55] Godhead, gave effect. 175 Immediate are the acts of God, more swift Than time or motion, but to human ears Cannot without process’ of speech be told, So told as earthly notion can receive. Great triumph and rejoicing was in Heaven 180 When such was heard declared the Almighty’s will. Glory they sung to the Most High, goodwill To future men, and in their dwellings peace— Glory to Him whose just avenging ire Had driven out the ungodly from his sight 185 And the habitations of the just; to Him Glory and praise whose wisdom had ordained Good out of evil to create—instead Of Spirits malign, a better Race to bring Into their vacant room, and thence diffuse 190 His good to worlds and ages infinite. “So sang the Hierarchies. Meanwhile the Son On his great expedition now appeared, Girt with omnipotence, with radiance crowned Of majesty divine, sapience[RC52] and love 195 Immense; and all his Father in him shon. About his chariot numberless were poured Cherub and Seraph, Potentates and Thrones, And Virtues, winged Spirits, and chariots winged From the armoury of God, where stand of old 200 Myriads[HG50], between two brazen mountains lodged Against a solemn day, harnessed at hand, Celestial equipage[EG19]; and now came forth Spontaneous, for within them Spirit lived, Attendant on their Lord. Heaven opened wide 205 Her ever-during gates, harmonious sound On golden hinges moving, to let forth The King of Glory, in his powerful Word And Spirit coming to create new worlds. On Heavenly ground they stood, and from the shore 210 They viewed the vast immeasurable Abyss, Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild, Up from the bottom turned by furious winds And surging waves, as mountains to assault Heaven’s highth, and with the centre mix the pole. 215 “‘Silence, ye troubled waves, and, thou Deep, peace!’ Said then the omnific Word: ‘your discord end!’ Nor stayed; but, on the wings of Cherubim Uplifted, in paternal glory rode Far into Chaos and the World unborn; 220 For Chaos heard his voice. Him all his train Followed in bright procession, to behold Creation, and the wonders of his might. Then stayed the fervid [CH56] wheels, and in his hand He took the golden compasses, prepared 225 In God’s eternal store, to circumscribe This Universe, and all created things. One foot he centred, and the other turned Round through the vast profundity obscure, And said, ‘Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds; 230 This be thy just circumference, O World! Thus God the Heaven created, thus the Earth, Matter unformed and void. Darkness profound Covered the Abyss; but on the watery calm His brooding wings the Spirit of God outspread, 235 And vital virtue infused, and vital warmth, Throughout the fluid mass, but downward purged The black, tartareous, [CH57] cold, infernal dregs, Adverse to life; then founded, then conglobed, Like things to like, the rest to several place 240 Disparted, and between spun out the Air, And Earth, self-balanced, on her centre hung. “‘Let there be Light!” said God; and forthwith Light Etherea[EG20]l, first of things, quintessence pure, Sprung from the Deep, and from her native East 245 To journey through the aery gloom began, Sphered in a radiant cloud—for yet the Sun Was not; she in a cloudy tabernacle Sojourned the while. God saw the Light was good; And light from darkness by the hemisphere 250 Divided: Light the Day, and Darkness Night, He named. Thus was the first Day even and morn; Nor passed uncelebrated, nor unsung By the celestial quires, when orient light Exhaling first from darkness they beheld, 255 Birth-day of Heaven and Earth. With joy and shout The hollow universal orb they filled, And touched their golden harps, and hymning praised God and his works; Creator him they sung, Both when first evening was, and when first morn. 260 “Again God said, ‘Let there be firmament [JM55] Amid the waters, and let it divide The waters from the waters!’ And God made The firmament, expanse of liquid, pure, Transparent, elemental air, diffused 265 In circuit to the uttermost convex Of this great round—partition firm and sure, The waters underneath from those above Dividing; for as Earth, so he the World Built on circumfluous [RD52] waters calm, in wide 270 Crystallin ocean, and the loud misrule Of Chaos far removed, lest fierce extremes Contiguous might distemper the whole frame: And Heaven he named the Firmament. So even And morning chorus sung the second Day. 275 “The Earth was formed, but, in the womb as yet Of waters, embryon immature, involved, Appeared not; over all the face of Earth Main ocean flowed, not idle, but, with warm Prolific humour softening all her globe, 280 Fermented the great Mother to conceive, Satiate with genial moisture; when God said, ‘Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place, and let dry land appear!’ Immediately the mountains huge appear 285 Emergent, and their broad bare backs upheave Into the clouds; their tops ascend the sky. So high as heaved the tumid hills, so low Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep, Capacious bed of waters. Thither they 290 Hasted with glad precipitance, uprowled, As drops on dust conglobing, from the dry: Part rise in crystal wall, or ridge direct, For haste; such flight the great command impressed On the swift floods. As armies at the call 295 Of trumpet (for of armies thou hast heard) Troop to their standard, so the watery throng, Wave rowling after wave, where way they found— If steep, with torrent rapture, if through plain, Soft-ebbing; nor withstood them rock or hill; 300 But they, or underground, or circuit wide With serpent error wandering, found their way, And on the washy ooze deep channels wore: Easy, ere God had bid the ground be dry, All but within those banks where rivers now 305 Stream, and perpetual draw their humid train. The dry land Earth, and the great receptacle Of congregated waters he called Seas; And saw that it was good, and said, ‘Let the Earth Put forth the verdant [MK57] grass, herb yielding seed, 310 And fruit-tree yielding fruit after her kind, Whose seed is in herself upon the Earth!’ He scarce had said when the bare Earth, till then Desert and bare, unsightly, unadorned, Brought forth the tender grass, whose verdure clad 315 Her universal face with pleasant green; Then herbs of every leaf, that sudden flowered, Opening their various colours, and made gay Her bosom, smelling sweet; and, these scarce blown, Forth flourished thick the clustering vine, forth crept 320 The smelling gourd, up stood the corny reed Imbattled in her field: add the humble shrub, And bush with frizzled hair implicit: last Rose, as in dance, the stately trees, and spread Their branches hung with copious fruit, or gemmed 325 Their blossoms. With high woods the hills were crowned, With tufts the valleys and each fountain-side, With borders long the rivers, that Earth now Seemed like to Heaven, a seat where gods might dwell, Or wander with delight, and love to haunt 330 Her sacred shades; though God had yet not rained Upon the Earth, and man to till the ground None was, but from the Earth a dewy mist Went up and watered all the ground, and each Plant of the field, which ere it was in the Earth 335 God made, and every herb before it grew On the green stem. God saw that it was good; So even and morn recorded the third Day. “Again the Almighty spake, ‘Let there be Lights High in the expanse of Heaven, to divide 340 The Day from Night; and let them be for signs, For seasons, and for days, and circling years; And let them be for lights, as I ordain Their office in the firmament of heaven, To give light on the Earth!’ and it was so. 345 And God made two great Lights, great for their use To Man, the greater to have rule by day, The less by night, alternor; and made the Stars, And set them in the firmament of heaven To illuminate the Earth, and rule the day 350 In their vicissitude, and rule the night, And light from darkness to divide. God saw, Surveying his great work, that it was good: For, of celestial bodies, first the Sun A mighty sphere he framed, unlightsome first, 355 Though of ethereal mould; then formed the Moon Globose[HG51], and every magnitude of Stars, And sowed with stars the heaven thick as a field. Of light by far the greater part he took, Transplanted from her cloudy shrine, and placed 360 In the Sun’s orb, made porous to receive And drink the liquid light, firm to retain Her gathered beams, great palace now of Light. Hither, as to their fountain, other stars Repairing, in their golden urns draw light, 365 And hence the morning planet gilds her horns; By tincture or reflection they augment Their small peculiar, though, from human sight So far remote, with diminution seen. First in his east the glorious lamp was seen, 370 Regent of day, and all the horizon round Invested with bright rays, jocond [MK55] to run His longitude through heaven’s high-road; the grey Dawn, and the Pleiades, before him danced, Shedding sweet influence. Less bright the Moon, 375 But opposite in levelled west, was set, His mirror, with full face borrowing her light From him; for other light she needed none In that aspect, and still that distance keeps Till night; then in the east her turn she shines, 380 Revolved on heaven’s great axle, and her reign With thousand lesser lights dividual holds, With thousand thousand stars, that then appeared Spangling the hemisphere. Then first adorned With her bright luminaries, that set and rose, 385 Glad evening and glad morn crowned the fourth Day. “And God said, ‘Let the waters generate Reptile with spawn abundant, living soul; And let Fowl fly above the earth, with wings Displayed on the open firmament of Heaven!’ 390 And God created the great Whales, and each Soul living, each that crept, which plenteously The waters generated by their kinds, And every bird of wing after his kind, And saw that it was good, and blessed them, saying, 395 ‘Be fruitful, multiply, and, in the seas, And lakes, and running streams, the waters fill; And let the fowl be multiplied on the earth!’ Forthwith the sounds and seas, each creek and bay, With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals 400 Of fish that, with their fins and shining scales, Glide under the green wave in sculls that oft Bank the mid-sea. Part, single or with mate, Graze the sea-weed, their pasture, and through groves Of coral stray, or, sporting with quick glance, 405 Shew to the sun their waved coats dropt with gold, Or, in their pearly shells at ease, attend Moist nutriment, or under rocks their food In jointed armour watch; on smooth the seal And bended dolphins play; part, huge of bulk, 410 Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait, Tempest the ocean. There Leviathan, Hugest of living creatures, on the deep Stretched like a promontory, [JM54] sleeps or swims, And seems a moving land, and at his gills 415 Draws in, and at his trunk spouts out, a sea. Meanwhile the tepid caves, and fens, and shores, Their brood as numerous hatch from the egg, that soon, Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed Their callow young; but feathered soon and fledge 420 They summed their pens, and, soaring the air sublime, With clang despised the ground, under a cloud In prospect. There the eagle and the stork On cliffs and cedar-tops their eyries build. Part loosely wing the Region; part, more wise, 425 In common, ranged in figure, wedge their way, Intelligent of seasons, and set forth Their aerie[HG52] caravan, high over seas Flying, and over lands, with mutual wing Easing their flight: so steers the prudent crane 430 Her annual voyage, borne on winds: the air Floats as they pass, fanned with unnumbered plumes. From branch to branch the smaller birds with song Solaced the woods, and spread their painted wings, Till even; nor then the solemn nightingale 435 Ceased warbling, but all night tuned her soft lays. Others, on silver lakes and rivers, bathed Their downy breast; the swan, with arched neck Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows Her state with oary feet; yet oft they quit 440 The dank, and, rising on stiff pennons, tower The mid aerial sky. Others on ground Walked firm—the crested cock, whose clarion sounds The silent hours, and the other, whose gay train Adorns him, coloured with the florid[HG53] hue 445 Of rainbows and starry eyes. The waters thus With Fish replenished, and the air with Fowl, Evening and morn solemnized the fifth Day. “The sixth, and of Creation last, arose With evening harps and matin; when God said, 450 ‘Let the Earth bring forth soul living in her kind, Cattle, and creeping things, and beast of the earth, Each in their kind!’ The Earth obeyed, and, straight Opening her fertile womb, teemed at a birth Innumerous living creatures, perfect forms, 455 Limbed and full-grown. Out of the ground up rose, As from his lair, the wild beast, where he wons In forest wild, in thicket, brake, or den— Among the trees in pairs they rose, they walked; The cattle in the fields and meadows green: 460 Those rare and solitary, these in flocks Pasturing at once and in broad herds, upsprung. The grassy clods now calved; now half appeared The tawny Lion, pawing to get free His hinder parts—then springs, as broke from bonds, 465 And rampant shakes his brinded mane; the Ounce, The Libbard,[MK56] and the Tiger, as the Mole Rising, the crumbled earth above them threw In hillocks; the swift Stag from underground Bore up his branching head; scarce from his mould 470 Behemoth, biggest born of earth, upheaved His vastness; fleeced the flocks and bleating rose, As plants; ambiguous between sea and land, The River-horse and scaly Crocodile. At once came forth whatever creeps the ground, 475 Insect or worm. Those waved their limber fans For wings, and smallest lineaments exact In all the liveries decked of summer’s pride, With spots of gold and purple, azure and green; These as a line their long dimension drew, 480 Streaking the ground with sinuous trace: not all Minims of nature; some of serpent kind, Wondrous in length and corpulence, involved Their snaky folds, and added wings. First crept The parsimonious Emmet, provident 485 Of future, in small room large heart enclosed— Pattern of just equality perhaps Hereafter—joined in her popular tribes Of commonalty. Swarming next appeared The female Bee, that feeds her husband drone 490 Deliciously, and builds her waxen cells With honey stored. The rest are numberless, And thou their natures know’st, and gav’st them names Needless to thee repeated; nor unknown The Serpent, subtlest beast of all the field, 495 Of huge extent sometimes, with brazen eyes And hairy mane terrific, though to thee Not noxious, but obedient at thy call. “Now Heaven in all her glory shon, and rowled Her motions, as the great First Mover’s hand 500 First wheeled their course; Earth, in her rich attire Consummate, lovely smiled; Air, Water, Earth, By fowl, fish, beast, was flown, was swum, was walked Frequent; and of the sixth Day yet remained. There wanted yet the master-work, the end 505 Of all yet done—a creature who, not prone And brute as other creatures, but endued With sanctity of reason, might erect His stature, and, upright with front serene Govern the rest, self-knowing, and from thence 510 Magnanimous to correspond with Heaven, But grateful to acknowledge whence his good Descends; thither with heart, and voice, and eyes Directed in devotion, to adore And worship God Supreme, who made him chief 515 Of all his works. Therefore the Omnipotent Eternal Father (for where is not He Present?) thus to his Son audibly spake:— ‘Let us make now Man in our image, Man In our Timilitude, and let them rule 520 Over the fish and fowl of sea and air, Beast of the field, and over all the earth, And every creeping thing that creeps the ground!’ This said, he formed thee, Adam, thee, O Man, Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breathed 525 The breath of life; in his own image he Created thee, in the image of God Express, and thou becam’st a living Soul. Male he created thee, but thy consort’ Female, for race; then blessed mankind, and said, 530 ‘Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the Earth; Subdue it, and throughout dominion hold Over fish of the sea and fowl of the air, And every living thing that moves on the Earth! Wherever thus created—for no place 535 Is yet distinct by name—thence, as thou know’st, He brought thee into this delicious grove, This Garden, planted with the tress of God, Delectable both to behold and taste, And freely all their pleasant fruit for food 540 Gave thee. All sorts are here that all the earth yields, Variety without end; but of the tree Which tasted works knowledge of good and evil Thou may’st not; in the day thou eat’st, thou diest. Death is the penalty imposed; beware, 545 And govern well thy appetite, least Sin Surprise thee, and her black attendant, Death. “Here finished He, and all that he had made Viewed, and behold! all was entirely good. So even and morn accomplished the sixth Day; 550 Yet not till the Creator, from his work Desisting, though unwearied, up returned, Up to the Heaven of Heavens, his high abode, Thence to behold this new-created World, The addition of his empire, how it shewed 555 In prospect from his Throne, how good, how fair, Answering his great Idea. Up he rode, Followed with acclamation, and the sound Symphonious of ten thousand harps, that tuned Angelic harmonies. The Earth, the Air 560 Resounded (thou remember’st, for thou heard’st), The heavens and all the constellations rung, The planets in their stations listening stood, While the bright pomp ascended jubilant. ‘Open, ye everlasting gates!’ they sung; 565 ‘Open, ye Heavens, your living doors! let in The great Creator, from his work returned Magnificent, his six days’ work, a World! Open, and henceforth oft; for God will deign To visit oft the dwellings of just men 570 Delighted, and with frequent intercourse Thither will send his winged messengers On errands of supernal grace.’ So sung The glorious train ascending. He through Heaven, That opened wide her blazing portals, led 575 To God’s eternal house direct the way— A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold, And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear Seen in the Galaxy, that milky way Which nightly as a circling zone thou seest 580 Powdered with stars. And now on Earth the seventh Evening arose in Eden—for the sun Was set, and twilight from the east came on, Forerunning night—when at the holy mount Of Heaven’s high-seated top, the imperial throne 585 Of Godhead, fixed for ever firm and sure, The Filial Power arrived, and sat him down With his great Father; for He also went Invisible, yet stayed (such privilege Hath Omnipresence) and the work ordained, 590 Author and end of all things, and from work Now resting. Blessed and hallowed the seventh Day, As resting on that day from all his work; But not in silence holy kept: the harp Had work, and rested not; the solemn pipe 595 And dulcimer, all organs of sweet stop, All sounds on fret by string or golden wire, Tempered soft tunings, intermixed with voice Choral or unison; of incense clouds, Fuming from golden censers, hid the Mount. 600 Creation and the Six Days’ acts they sung:— ‘Great are thy works, Jehovah! infinite Thy power! what thought can measure thee, or tongue Relate thee—greater now in thy return Than from the Giant-angels? Thee that day 605 Thy thunders magnified; but to create Is greater than created to destroy. Who can impair thee, mighty King, or bound Thy empire? Easily the proud attempt Of Spirits apostate, and their counsels vain, 610 Thou hast repelled, while impiously they thought Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw The number of thy worshipers. Who seeks To lessen thee, against his purpose, serves To manifest the more thy might; his evil 615 Thou usest, and from thence creat’st more good. Witness this new-made World, another Heaven From Heaven-gate not far, founded in view On the clear hyalin, the glassy sea; Of amplitude almost immense, with stars 620 Numerous, and every star perhaps a world Of destined habitation—but thou know’st Their seasons; among these the seat of men, Earth, with her nether ocean circumfused, Their pleasant dwelling—place. Thrice happy men, 625 And sons of men, whom God hath thus advanced, Created in his image, there to dwell And worship him, and in reward to rule Over his works, on earth, in sea, or air, And multiply a race of worshipers 630 Holy and just! thrice happy, if they know Their happiness, and persevere upright!’ “So sung they, and the Empyrean rung With halleluiahs. Thus was Sabbath kept. And thy request think now fulfilled that asked 635 How first this World and face of things began, And what before thy memory was done From the beginning, that posterity, Informed by thee, might know. If else thou seek’st Aught, not surpassing human measure, say.” 640 Paradise Lost: The Eighth Book THE ARGUMENT.—Adam inquires concerning celestial motions; is doubtfully answered, and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of knowledge. Adam assents, and, still desirous to detain Raphael, relates to him what he remembered since his own creation—his placing in Paradise; his talk with God concerning solitude and fit society; his first meeting and nuptials with Eve. His discourse with the Angel thereupon; who, after admonitions repeated, departs. THE ANGEL ended, and in Adam’s ear So charming left his voice that he a while Thought him still speaking, still stood fixed to hear; Then, as new-waked, thus gratefully replied:— “What thanks sufficient, or what recompense 5 Equal, have I to render thee, divine Historian, who thus largely hast allayed The thirst I had of knowledge, and voutsafed This friendly condescension to relate Things else by me unsearchable—now heard 10 With wonder, but delight, and, as is due, With glory attributed to the high Creator? Something yet of doubt remains, Which only thy solution can resolve. When I behold this goodly frame, this World, 15 Of Heaven and Earth consisting, and compute Their magnitudes—this Earth, a spot, a grain, An atom, with the Firmament compared And all her numbered stars, that seem to rowl Spaces incomprehensible (for such 20 Their distance argues, and their swift return Diurnal) merely to officiate light Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot, One day and night, in all their vast survey Useless besides—reasoning, I oft admire 25 How Nature, wise and frugal, could commit Such disproportions, with superfluous hand So many nobler bodies to create, Greater so manifold, to this one use, For aught appears, and on their Orbs impose 30 Such restless revolution day by day Repeated, while the sedentary Earth, That better might with far less compass move, Served by more noble than herself, attains Her end without least motion, and receives, 35 As tribute, such a sumless journey brought Of incorporeal speed her warmth and light: Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails.” So spake our Sire, and by his countenance seemed Entering on studious thoughts abstruse; which Eve 40 Perceiving, where, she sat retired in sight, With lowliness majestic from her seat, And grace that won who saw to wish her stay, Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flowers, To visit how they prospered, bud and bloom, 45 Her nursery; they at her coming sprung, And, touched by her fair tendance, gladlier grew. Yet went she not as not with such discourse Delighted, or not capable her ear Of what was high. Such pleasure she reserved, 50 Adam relating, she sole auditress[RC53]; Her husband the relater she preferred Before the Angel, and of him to ask Chose rather; he, she knew, would intermix Grateful digressions, and solve high dispute 55 With conjugal caresses: from his lip Not words alone pleased her. Oh, when meet now Such pairs, in love and mutual honour joined? With goddess-like demeanour forth she went, Not unattended; for on her as Queen 60 A pomp of winning Graces waited still, And from about her shot darts of desire Into all eyes, to wish her still in sight. And Raphael now to Adam’s doubt proposed Benevolent and facile thus replied:— 65 “To ask or search I blame thee not; for Heaven Is as the Book of God before thee set, Wherein to read his wondrous works, and learn His seasons, hours, or days, or months, or years. This to attain, whether Heaven move or Earth 70 Imports not, if thou reckon right; the rest From Man or Angel the great Architect Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge His secrets, to be scanned by them who ought Rather admire. Or, if they list to try 75 Conjecture, he his fabric of the Heavens Hath left to their disputes—perhaps to move His laughter at their quaint opinions wide Hereafter, when they come to model Heaven, And calculate the stars; how they will wield 80 The mighty frame; how build, unbuild, contrive To save appearances; how gird the Sphere With Centric and Eccentric scribbled o’er, Cycle and Epicycle, orb in orb. Already by thy reasoning this I guess, 85 Who art to lead thy offspring, and supposest That bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright, nor Heaven such journeys run, Earth sitting still, when she alone receives The benefit. Consider, first, that great 90 Or bright infers not excellence. The Earth, Though, in comparison of Heaven, so small, Nor glistering, may of solid good contain More plenty than the Sun that barren shines, Whose virtue on itself works no effect, 95 But in the fruitful Earth; there first received, His beams, unactive else, their vigour find. Yet not to Earth are those bright luminaries Officious, but to thee, Earth’s habitant. And, for the Heaven’s wide circuit, let it speak 100 The Maker’s high magnificence, who built So spacious, and his line stretched out so far, That Man may know he dwells not in his own— An edifice too large for him to fill, Lodged in a small partition, and the rest 105 Ordained for uses to his Lord best known. The swiftness of those Circles at’tribute, Though numberless, to his Omnipotence, That to corporeal substances could add Speed almost spiritual. Me thou think’st not slow, 110 Who since the morning-hour set out from Heaven Where God resides, and ere mid-day arrived In Eden—distance inexpressible By numbers that have name. But this I urge, Admitting motion in the Heavens, to shew 115 Invalid that which thee to doubt it moved; Not that I so affirm, though so it seem To thee who hast thy dwelling here on Earth. God, to remove his ways from human sense, Placed Heaven from Earth so far, that earthly sight, 120 If it presume, might err in things too high, And no advantage gain. What if the Sun Be centre to the World, and other Stars, By his attractive virtue and their own Incited, dance about him various rounds? 125 Their wandering course, now high, now low, then hid, Progressive, retrograde, or standing still, In six thou seest; and what if, seventh to these The planet Earth, so steadfast though she seem, Insensibly three different motions move? 130 Which else to several spheres thou must ascribe, Moved contrary with thwart obliquities, [SH56] Or save the Sun his labour, and that swift Nocturnal and diurnal rhomb [MJ 57]supposed, Invisible else above all stars, the wheel 135 Of Day and Night; which needs not they belief, If Earth, industrious of herself, fetch Day, Travelling east, and with her part averse From the Sun’s beam meet Night, her other part Still luminous by his ray. What if that light, 140 Sent from her through the wide transpicuous [SH57] air, To the terrestrial Moon to be as a star, Enlightening her by day, as she by night This Earth—reciprocal, if land be there, Fields and inhabitants? Her spots thou seest 145 As clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce Fruits in her softened soil, for some to eat Allotted there; and other Suns, perhaps, With their attendant Moons, thou wilt descry, Communicating male and female light— 150 Which to great sexes animate the World, Stored in each Orb perhaps with some that live. For such vast room in Nature unpossessed By living soul, desert and desolate, Only to shine, yet scarce to con’tribute 155 Each Orb a glimpse of light, conveyed so far Down to this habitable, which returns Light back to them, is obvious to dispute. But whether thus these things, or whether not— Whether the Sun, predominant in heaven, 160 Rise on the Earth, or Earth rise on the Sun; He from the east his flaming road begin, Or she from west her silent course advance With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps On her soft axle, while she paces even, 165 And bears thee soft with the smooth air along— Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid: Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. Of other creatures as him pleases best, Wherever placed, let him dispose; joy thou 170 In what he gives to thee, this Paradise And thy fair Eve; Heaven is for thee too high To know what passes there. Be lowly wise; Think only what concerns thee and thy being; Dream not to other worlds, what creatures there 175 Live, in what state, condition, or degreed- Contented that thus far hath been revealed Not of Earth only, but of highest Heaven.” To whom thus Adam, cleared of doubt, replied:— “How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure 180 Intelligence of Heaven, Angel serene, And, freed from intricacies, taught to live The easiest way, nor with perplexing thoughts To interrupt the sweet of life, from which God hath bid dwell far off all anxious cares, 185 And not molest us, unless we ourselves Seek them with wandering thoughts, and notions vain! But apt the mind or fancy is to rove Unchecked; and of her roving is no end, Till, warned, or by experience taught, she learn 190 That not to know at large of things remote From use, obscure and subtle, but to know That which before us lies in daily life, Is the prime wisdom: what is more is fume, Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, 195 And renders us in things that most concern Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek. Therefore from this high pitch let us descend A lower flight, and speak of things at hand Useful; whence, haply, mention may arise 200 Of something not unreasonable to ask, By sufferance, and thy wonted favour, deigned. Thee I have heard relating what was done Ere my remembrance; now hear me relate My story, which perhaps, thou hast not heard. 205 And day is yet not spent; till then thou seest How subtly to detain thee I devise, Inviting thee to hear while I relate— Fond, were it not in hope of thy reply. For, while I sit with thee, I seem in Heaven; 210 And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear Than fruits of palm-tree, pleasantest to thirst And hunger both, from labour, at the hour Of sweet repast. They satiate, and soon fill, Though pleasant; but thy words, with grace divine 215 Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety.” To whom thus Raphael answered, heavenly meek:— “Nor are thy lips ungrateful, Sire of Men, Nor tongue ineloquent; for God on thee Abundantly his gifts hath also poured, 220 Inward and outward both, his image fair: Speaking, or mute, all comeliness and grace Attends thee, and each word, each motion, forms. Nor less think we in Heaven of thee on Earth Than of our fellow-servant, and inquire 225 Gladly into the ways of God with Man; For God, we see, hath honoured thee, and set On Man his equal love. Say therefore on; For I that day was absent, as befell, Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure, 230 Far on excursion toward the gates of Hell, Squared in full legion (such command we had), To see that none thence issued forth a spy Or enemy, while God was in his work, Lest he, incensed at such eruption bold, 235 Destruction with Creation might have mixed. Not that they durst without his leave attempt; But us he sends upon his high behests For state, as sovran King, and to inure Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut, 240 The dismal gates, and barricaded strong, But, long ere our approaching, heard within Noise, other than the sound of dance or song— Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage. Glad we returned up to the coasts of Light 245 Ere Sabbath-evening; so we had in charge. But thy relation now: for I attend, Pleased with thy words no less than thou with mine.” So spake the godlike Power, and thus our Sire:— “For Man to tell how human life began 250 Is hard; for who himself beginning knew? Desire with thee still longer to converse Induced me. As new-waked from soundest sleep, Soft on the flowery herb I found me laid, In balmy sweat, which with his beams the Sun 255 Soon dried, and on the reeking moisture fed. Straight toward Heaven my wondering eyes I turned, And gazed a while the ample sky, till, raised By quick instinctive motion, up I sprung, As thitherward endeavoring, and upright 260 Stood on my feet. About me round I saw Hill, dale, and shady woods, and sunny plains, And liquid lapse of murmuring streams; by these, Creatures that lived and moved, and walked or flew, Birds on the branches warbling: all things smiled; 265 With fragrance and with joy my heart o’erflowed. Myself I then perused, and limb by limb Surveyed, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran With supple joints, as lively vigour led; But who I was, or where, or from what cause, 270 Knew not. To speak I tried, and forthwith spake; My tongue obeyed, and readily could name Whate’er I saw. ‘Thou Sun,’ said I, ‘fair light, And thou enlightened Earth, so fresh and gay, Ye hills and dales, ye rivers, woods, and plains, 275 And ye that live and move, fair creatures, tell, Tell, if ye saw, how came I thus, how here! Not of myself; by some great Maker then, tin goodness and in power præ-eminent. Tell me, how may I know him, how adore, 280 From whom I have that thus I move and live, And feel that I am happier than I know!’ While thus I called, and strayed I knew not whither, From where I first drew air, and first beheld This happy light, when answer none returned, 285 On a green shady bank, profuse of flowers, Pensive I sat me down. There gentle sleep First found me, and with soft oppression seized My drowsèd sense, untroubled, though I thought I then was passing to my former state 290 Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve: When suddenly stood at my head a Dream, Whose inward apparition gently moved My fancy to believe I yet had being, And lived. One came, methought, of shape divine, 295 And said, ‘Thy mansion wants thee, Adam; rise, First Man, of men innumerable ordained First father! called by thee, I come thy guide To the Garden of bliss, thy seat prepared.’ So saying, by the hand he took me, raised, 300 And over fields and waters, as in air Smooth sliding without step, last led me up A woody mountain, whose high top was plain, A circuit wide, enclosed, with goodliest trees Planted, with walks and bowers, that what I saw 305 Of Earth before scarce pleasant seemed. Each tree Loaden with fairest fruit, that hung to the eye Tempting, stirred in me sudden appetite To pluck and eat; whereat I waked, and found Before mine eyes all real, as the dream 310 Had lively shadowed. Here had new begun My wandering, had not He who was my guide Up hither from among the trees appeared, Presence Divine. Rejoicing, but with awe, In adoration at his feet I fell 315 Submiss. He reared me, and, ‘Whom thou sought’st I am,’ Said mildly, ‘Author of all this thou seest Above, or round about thee, or beneath. This Paradise I give thee; count it thine To till and keep, and of the fruit to eat. 320 Of every tree that in the Garden grows Eat freely with glad heart; fear here no dearth. But of the tree whose operation brings Knowledge of Good and Ill, which I have set, The pledge of thy obedience and thy faith, 325 Amid the garden by the Tree of Life— Remember what I warn thee—shun to taste, And shun the bitter consequence: for know, The day thou eat’st thereof, my sole command Transgressed, inevitably thou shalt die, 330 From that day mortal, and this happy state Shalt lose, expelled from hence into a world Of woe and sorrow.’ Sternly he pronounced The rigid interdiction, which resounds Yet dreadful in mine ear, though in my choice 335 Not to incur; but soon his clear aspect’ Returned, and gracious purpose thus renewed:— ‘Not only these fair bounds, but all the Earth To thee and to thy race I give; as lords Possess it, and all things that therein live, 340 Or live in sea or air, beast, fish, and fowl. In sign whereof, each bird and beast behold After their kinds; I bring them to receive From thee their names, and pay thee fealty With low subjection. Understand the same 345 Of fish within their watery residence, Not hither summoned, since they cannot change Their element to draw the thinner air.’ As thus he spake, each bird and beast behold Approaching two and two—these cowering low 350 With blandishment; each bird stooped on his wing. I named them as they passed, and understood Their nature; with such knowledge God endued My sudden apprehension. But in these I found not what methought I wanted still, 355 And to the Heavenly Vision thus presumed:— “‘O, by what name—or Thou above all these, Above mankind, or aught than mankind higher, Surpassest far my naming—how may I Adore thee, Author of this Universe, 360 And all this good to Man, for whose well-being So amply, and with hands so liberal, Thou hast provided all things? But with me I see not who partakes. In solitude What happiness? who can enjoy alone, 365 Or, all enjoying, what contentment find?’ Thus I, presumptuous; and the Vision bright, As with a smile more brightened, thus replied:— “‘What call’st thou solitude? Is not the Earth With various living creatures, and the Air, 370 Replenished, and all these at thy command To come and play before thee? Know’st thou not Their language and their ways? They also know, And reason not contemptibly; with these Find pastime, and bear rule; thy realm is large.’ 375 So spake the Universal Lord and seemed So ordering. I, with leave of speech implored, And humble deprecation, thus replied:— “‘Let not my words offend thee, Heavenly Power; My Maker, be propitious while I speak. 380 Hast thou not made me here thy substitute, And these inferior far beneath me set? Among unequals what society Can sort, what harmony or true delight? Which must be mutual, in proportion due 385 Given and received; but, in disparity, The one intense, the other still remiss, Cannot well suit with either, but soon prove Tedious alike. Of fellowship I speak Such as I seek, fit to participate 390 All rational delight, wherein the brute Cannot be human consort. They rejoice Each with their kind, lion with lioness; So fitly them in pairs thou hast combined: Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl, 395 So well converse, nor with the ox the ape; Worse, then, can man with beast, and least of all.’ “Whereto the Almighty answered, not displeased:— ‘A nice and subtle happiness, I see, Thou to thyself proposest, in the choice 400 Of thy associates, Adam, and wilt taste No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitary. What think’st thou, then, of Me, and this my state? Seem I to thee sufficiently possessed Of happiness, or not, who am alone 405 From all eternity? for none I know Second to me or like, equal much less. How have I, then, with whom to hold converse, Save with the creatures which I made, and those To me inferior infinite descents 410 Beneath what other creatures are to thee?’ “He ceased. I lowly answered:—’To attain The highth and depth of thy eternal ways All human thoughts come short, Supreme of Things! Thou in thyself art perfect, and in Thee 415 Is no deficience found. Not so is Man, But in degree—the cause of his desire By conversation with his like to help Or solace his defects. No need that thou Should’st propagate, already infinite, 420 And through all numbers absolute, though One; But Man by number is to manifest His single imperfection, and beget Like of his like, his image multiplied, In unity defective; which requires 425 Collateral love, and dearest amity. Thou, in thy secrecy although alone, Best with thyself accompanied, seek’st not Social communication—yet, so pleased, Canst raise thy creature to what highth thou wilt 430 Of union or communion, deified; I, by conversing, cannot these erect From prone, nor in their ways complacence find. Thus I emboldened spake, and freedom used Permissive, and acceptance found; which gained 435 This answer from the gratious Voice Divine:— “‘Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleased, And find thee knowing not of beasts alone, Which thou hast rightly named, but of thyself— Expressing well the spirit within thee free, 440 My image, not imparted to the brute; Whose fellowship, therefore, unmeet for thee, Good Reason was thou freely shouldst dislike. And be so minded still. I, ere thou spak’st, Knew it not good for Man to be alone, 445 And no such company as then thou saw’st Intended thee—for trial only brought, To see how thou couldst judge of fit and meet. What next I bring shall please thee, be assured, Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 450 Thy wish exactly to thy heart’s desire.’ “He ended, or I heard no more; for now My earthly, by his heavenly overpowered, Which it had long stood under, strained to the highth In that celestial colloquy [SH58] sublime, 455 As with an object that excels the sense, Dazzled and spent, sunk down, and sought repair Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, called By Nature as in aid, and closed mine eyes. Mine eyes he closed, but open left the cell 460 Of fancy, my internal sight; by which, Abstract as in a trance, methought I saw, Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the Shape Still glorious before whom awake I stood; Who, stooping, opened my left side, and took 465 From thence a rib, with cordial spirits warm, And life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound, But suddenly with flesh filled up and healed. The rib he formed and fashioned with his hands; Under his forming hands a creature grew, 470 Man-like, but different sex, so lovely fair That what seemed fair in all the world seemed now Mean, or in her summed up, in her contained And in her looks, which from that time infused Sweetness into my heart unfelt before, 475 And into all things from her air inspired The spirit of love and amorous delight. She disappeared, and left me dark; I waked To find her, or for ever to deplore Her loss, and other pleasures all adjure: 480 When, out of hope, behold her not far off, Such as I saw her in my dream, adorned With what all Earth or Heaven could bestow To make her amiable. On she came, Led by her Heavenly Maker, though unseen 485 And guided by his voice, nor uninformed Of nuptial sanctity and marriage rites. Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, In every gesture dignity and love. I, overjoyed, could not forbear aloud:— 490 “‘This turn hath made amends; thou hast fulfilled Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign, Giver of all things fair—but fairest this Of all thy gifts!—nor enviest. I now see Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, my Self 495 Before me. Woman is her name, of Man Extracted; for this cause he shall forgo Father and mother, and to his wife adhere, And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul.’ “She heard me thus; and, though divinely brought, 500 Yet innocence and virgin modesty, Her virtue, and the conscience of her worth, That would be wooed, and not unsought be won, Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired, The most desirable—or, to say all, 505 Nature herself, though pure of sinful thought— Wrought in her so, that, seeing me, she turned. I followed her; she what was honour knew, And with obsequious majesty approved My pleaded reason. To the nuptial bower 510 I led her blushing like the Morn; all Heaven, And happy constellations, on that hour Shed their selectest influence; the Earth Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill; Joyous the birds; fresh gales and gentle airs 515 Whispered it to the woods, and from their wings Flung rose, flung odours from the spicy shrub, Disporting, till the amorous bird of night Sung spousal, and bid haste the Evening-star On his hill-top to light the bridal lamp. 520 “Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought My story to the sum of earthly bliss Which I enjoy, and must confess to find In all things else delight indeed, but such As, use or not, works in the mind no change, 525 Nor vehement desire—these delicacies I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, Walks, and the melody of birds: but here, Far otherwise, transported I behold, Transported touch; here passion first I felt, 530 Commotion strange, in all enjoyments else Superior and unmoved, here only weak Against the charm of beauty’s powerful glance. Or Nature failed in me, and left some part Not proof enough such object to sustain, 535 Or, from my side subducting, took perhaps More than enough—at least on her bestowed Too much of ornament, in outward show Elaborate, of inward less exact. For well I understand in the prime end 540 Of Nature her the inferior, in the mind And inward faculties, which most excel; In outward also her resembling less His image who made both, and less expressing The character of that dominion given 545 O’er other creatures. Yet when I approach Her loveliness, so absolute she seems And in herself complete, so well to know Her own, that what she wills to do or say Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best. 550 All higher Knowledge in her presence falls Degraded; Wisdom in discourse with her Loses, discountenanced, and like Folly shews; Authority and Reason on her wait, As one intended first, not after made 555 Occasionally; and, to consum’mate all, Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat Build in her loveliest, and create an awe About her, as a guard angelic placed.” To whom the Angel, with contracted brow:— 560 “Accuse not Nature! she hath done her part; Do thou but thine! and be not diffident Of Wisdom; she deserts thee not, if thou Dismiss not her, when most thou need’st her nigh, By attribu’ting overmuch to things 565 Less excellent, as thou thyself perceiv’st. For, what admir’st thou, what transports thee so? An outside—fair, no doubt, and worthy well Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love; Not thy subjection. Weigh with her thyself; 570 Then value. Oft-times nothing profits more Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right Well managed. Of that skill the more thou know’st, The more she will acknowledge thee her head, And to realities yield all her shows— 575 Made so adorn for thy delight the more, So awful, that with honour thou may’st love Thy mate, who sees when thou art seen least wise But, if the sense of touch, whereby mankind Is propagated, seem such dear delight 580 Beyond all other, think the same voutsafed To cattle and each beast; which would not be To them made common and divulged, if aught Therein enjoyed were worthy to subdue The soul of Man, or passion in him move. 585 What higher in her society thou find’st Attractive, human, rational, love still; In loving thou dost well; in passion not, Wherein true Love consists not. Love refines The thoughts, and heart enlarges—hath his seat 590 In Reason, and is judicious, is the scale By which to Heavenly Love thou may’st ascend, Not sunk in carnal pleasure; for which cause Among the beasts no mate for thee was found.” To whom thus, half abashed, Adam replied:— 595 “Neither her outside formed so fair, nor aught In procreation, common to all kinds (Though higher of the genial bed by far, And with mysterious reverence, I deem), So much delights me as those graceful acts, 600 Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all her words and actions, mixed with love And sweet compliance, which declare unfeigned Union of mind, or in us both one soul— Harmony to behold in wedded pair 605 More grateful than harmonious sound to the ear. Yet these subject not; I to thee disclose What inward thence I feel, not therefore foiled, Who meet with various objects, from the sense Variously representing, yet, still free, 610 Approve the best, and follow what I approve. To love thou blam’st me not—for Love, thou say’st, Leads up to Heaven, is both the way and guide; Bear with me, then, if lawful what I ask. Love not the Heavenly Spirits, and how their love 615 Express they—by looks only, or do they mix Irradiance, virtual or immediate touch?” To whom the Angel, with a smile that glowed Celestial rosy-red, Love’s proper hue, Answered:—“Let it suffice thee that thou know’st 620 Us happy, and without Love no happiness. Whatever pure thou in the body enjoy’st (And pure thou wert created) we enjoy In eminence, and obstacle find none Of membrane, joint, or limb, exclusive bars. 625 Easier than air with air, if Spirits embrace, Total they mix, union of pure with pure Desiring, nor restrained conveyance need As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with soul. But I can now no more: the parting Sun 630 Beyond the Earth’s green Cape and verdant [MK57] Isles Hesperean sets, my signal to depart. Be strong, live happy, and love! but first of all Him whom to love is to obey, and keep His great command; take heed lest passion sway 635 Thy judgment to do aught which else free—will Would not admit; thine and of all thy sons The weal or woe in thee is placed; beware! I in thy persevering shall rejoice, And all the Blest. Stand fast; to stand or fall 640 Free in thine own arbitrement it lies. Perfet within, no outward aid require; And all temptation to transgress repel.” So saying, he arose; whom Adam thus Followed with benediction:—“Since to part, 645 Go, Heavenly Guest, Ethereal Messenger, Sent from whose sovran goodness I adore! Gentle to me and affable hath been Thy condescension, and shall be honoured ever With grateful memory. Thou to Mankind 650 Be good and friendly still, and oft return!” So parted they, the Angel up to Heaven From the thick shade, and Adam to his bower. Paradise Lost: The Ninth Book THE ARGUMENT.—Satan, having compassed the Earth, with meditated guile returns as a mist by night into Paradise; enters into the Serpent sleeping. Adam and Eve in the morning go forth to their labours, which Eve proposes to divide in several places, each labouring apart: Adam consents not, alleging the danger lest that Enemy of whom they were forewarned should attempt her found alone. Eve, loth to be thought not circumspect or firm enough, urges her going apart, the rather desirous to make trial of her strength; Adam at last yields. The Serpent finds her alone: his subtle approach, first gazing, then speaking, with much flattery extolling Eve above all other creatures. Eve, wondering to hear the Serpent speak, asks how he attained to human speech and such understanding not till now; the Serpent answers that by tasting of a certain Tree in the Garden he attained both to speech and reason, till then void of both. Eve requires him to bring her to that tree, and finds it to be the Tree of Knowledge forbidden: the Serpent, now grown bolder, with many wiles and arguments induces her at length to eat. She, pleased with the taste, deliberates a while whether to impart thereof to Adam or not; at last brings him of the fruit; relates what persuaded her to eat thereof. Adam, at first amazed, but perceiving her lost, resolves, through vehemence of love, to perish with her, and, extenuating the trespass, eats also of the fruit. The effects thereof in them both; they seek to cover their nakedness; then fall to variance and accusation of one another. NO MORE of talk where God or Angel Guest With Man, as with his friend, familiar used To sit indulgent, and with him partake Rural repast, permitting him to while Venial discourse unblamed. I now must change 5 Those notes to tragic—foul distrust, and breach Disloyal, on the part of man, revolt And disobedience; on the part of Heaven, Now alienated, distance and distaste, Anger and just rebuke, and judgment given, 10 That brought into this World a world of woe, Sin and her shadow Death, and Misery, Death’s harbinger[RG50]. Sad task! yet argument Not less but more heroic than the wrauth Of stern Achilles on his foe pursued 15 Thrice fugitive about Troy wall; or rage Of Turnus for Lavinia disespoused; [RD53] Or Neptune’s ire, or Juno’s that so long Perplexed the Greek, and Cytherea’s son: If answerable style I can obtain 20 Of my celestial Patroness, who deigns Her nightly visitation unimplored, And dictates to me slumbering, or inspires Easy my unpremeditated verse, Since first this subject for heroic song 25 Pleased me, long choosing and beginning late, Not sedulous by nature to indite Wars, hitherto the only argument Heroic deemed, chief maistrie to dissect With long and tedious havoc fabled knights 30 In battles feigned (the better fortitude Of patience and heroic martyrdom Unsung), or to describe races and games, Or tilting furniture, emblazoned shields, Impreses quaint, caparisons and steeds, 35 Bases and tinsel trappings, gorgeous knights At joust and tournament; then marshalled feast Served up in hall with sewers and seneshals: The skill of artifice or office mean; Not that which justly gives heroic name 40 To person or to poem! Me, of these Nor skilled nor studious, higher argument Remains, sufficient of itself to raise That name, unless an age too late, or cold Climat, or years, damp my intended wing 45 Depressed; and much they may if all be mine, Not Hers who brings it nightly to my ear. The Sun was sunk, and after him the Star Of Hesperus[RG51], whose office is to bring Twilight upon the Earth, short arbiter[TK50] 50 ’Twixt day and night, and now from end to end Night’s hemisphere had veiled the horizon round, When Satan, who late fled before the threats Of Gabriel out of Eden, now improved In meditated fraud and malice, bent 55 On Man’s destruction, maugre[TK51] what might hap Of heavier on himself, fearless returned. By night he fled, and at midnight returned From compassing the Earth—cautious of day Since Uriel, Regent of the Sun, descried 60 His entrance, and forwarned the Cherubim That kept their watch. Thence, full of anguish, driven, The space of seven continued nights he rode With darkness—thrice the equinoctial line He circled, four times crossed the car of Night 65 From pole to pole, traversing each colure— On the eighth returned, and on the coast averse From entrance or cherubic watch by stealth Found unsuspected way. There was a place (Now not, though Sin, not Time, first wraught the change) 70 Where Tigris, at the foot of Paradise, Into a gulf shot under ground, till part Rose up a fountain by the Tree of Life. In with the river sunk, and with it rose, Satan, involved in rising mist; then sought 75 Where to lie hid. Sea he had searched and land From Eden over Pontus, and the Pool Mæotis, up beyond the river Ob; Downward as far Antartic; and, in length, West from Orontes to the ocean barred 80 At Darien, thence to the land where flows Ganges and Indus. Thus the orb he roamed With narrow search, and with inspection deep Considered every creature, which of all Most opportune might serve his wiles, and found 85 The Serpent subtlest beast of all the field. Him, after long debate, irresolute Of thoughts revolved, his final sentence chose Fit vessel, fittest Imp of fraud, in whom To enter, and his dark suggestions hide 90 From sharpest sight; for in the wily snake Whatever sleights none would suspicious mark As from his wit and native subtlety Proceeding, which, in other beasts observed, Doubt might beget of diabolic power 95 Active within beyond the sense of brute. Thus he resolved, but first from inward grief His bursting passion into plaints thus poured:— “O Earth, how like to Heaven, if not preferred More justly, seat worthier of Gods, as built 100 With second thoughts, reforming what was old! For what God, after better, worse would build? Terrestrial Heaven, danced round by other Heavens, That shine, yet bear their bright officious[RG52] lamps, Light above light, for thee alone, as seems, 105 In thee concentring all their precious beams Of sacred influence! As God in Heaven Is centre, yet extends to all, so thou Centring receiv’st from all those orbs; in thee, Not in themselves, all their known virtue appears, 110 Productive in herb, plant, and nobler birth Of creatures animate with gradual life Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in Man. With what delight could I have walked thee round, If I could joy in aught—sweet interchange 115 Of hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains, Now land, now sea, and shores with forest crowned, Rocks, dens, and caves! But I in none of these Find place or refuge; and the more I see Pleasures about me, so much more I feel 120 Torment within me, as from the hateful siege Of contraries; all good to me becomes Bane, and in Heaven much worse would be my state. But neither here seek I, nor in Heaven, To dwell, unless by maistring Heaven’s Supreme; 125 Nor hope to be myself less miserable By what I seek, but others to make such As I, though thereby worse to me redound. For only in destroying I find ease To my relentless thoughts; and him destroyed, 130 Or won to what may work his utter loss, For whom all this was made, all this will soon Follow, as to him linked in weal or woe: In woe then, that destruction wide may range! To me shall be the glory sole among 135 The Infernal Powers, in one day to have marred What he, Almighty styled, six nights and days Continued making, and who knows how long Before had been contriving? though perhaps Not longer than since I in one night freed 140 From servitude inglorious well nigh half The Angelic Name, and thinner left the throng Of his adorers. He, to be avenged, And to repair his numbers thus impaired— Whether such virtue, spent of old, now failed 145 More Angels to create (if they at least Are his created), or to spite us more— Determined to advance into our room A creature formed of earth, and him endow, Exalted from so base original, 150 With heavenly spoils, our spoils. What he decreed He effected; Man he made, and for him built Magnificent this World, and Earth his seat, Him Lord pronounced, and, O indignity! Subjected to his service Angel-wings 155 And flaming ministers, to watch and tend Their earthly charge. Of these the vigilance I dread, and to elude, thus wrapt in mist Of midnight vapour, glide obscure, and pry In every bush and brake, where hap may find 160 The Serpent sleeping, in whose mazy folds To hide me, and the dark intent I bring. O foul descent! that I, who erst contended With Gods to sit the highest, am now constrained Into a beast, and, mixed with bestial slime, 165 This essence to incarnate and imbrute, That to the highth of Deity aspired! But what will not ambition and revenge Descend to? Who aspires must down as low As high he soared, obnoxious, first or last, 170 To basest things. Revenge, at first though sweet, Bitter ere long back on itself recoils. Let it; I reck not, so it light well aimed, Since higher I fall short, on him who next Provokes my envy, this new favourite 175 Of Heaven, this Man of Clay, son of despite, Whom, us the more to spite, his Maker raised From dust: spite then with spite is best repaid.” So saying, through each thicket, dank or dry, Like a black mist low-creeping, he held on 180 His midnight search, where soonest he might find The Serpent. Him fast sleeping soon he found, In labyrinth of many a round self-rowled, His head the midst, well stored with subtle wiles: Not yet in horrid shade or dismal den: 185 Nor nocent yet, but on the grassy herb, Fearless, unfeared, he slept. In at his mouth The Devil entered, and his brutal sense. In heart or head, possessing soon inspired With act intelligential; but his sleep 190 Disturbed not, waiting close the approach of morn. Now, whenas sacred light began to dawn In Eden on the humid flowers, that breathed Their morning incense, when all things that breathe From the Earth’s great altar send up silent praise 195 To the Creator, and his nostrils fill With grateful smell, forth came the human pair, And joined their vocal worship to the quire Of creatures wanting voice; that done, partake The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs; 200 Then com’mune how that day they best may ply Their growing work—for much their work outgrew The hands’ dispatch of two gardening so wide: And Eve first to her husband thus began:— “Adam, well may we labour still to dress 205 This Garden, still to tend plant, herb, and flower, Our pleasant task enjoined; but, till more hands Aid us, the work under our labour grows, Luxurious by restraint: what we by day Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind, 210 One night or two with wanton growth derides, Tending to wild. Thou, therefore, now advise, Or hear what to my mind first thoughts present. Let us divide our labours—thou where choice Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind 215 The woodbine round this arbour, or direct The clasping ivy where to climb; while I In yonder spring of roses intermixed With myrtle find what to redress till noon. For, while so near each other thus all day 220 Our task we choose, what wonder if so near Looks intervene and smiles, or objects new Casual discourse draw on, which intermits Our day’s work, brought to little, though begun Early, and the hour of supper comes unearned!” 225 To whom mild answer Adam thus returned:— “Sole Eve, associate sole, to me beyond Compare above all living creatures dear! Well hast thou motioned, well thy thoughts imployed How we might best fulfil the work which here 230 God hath assigned us, nor of me shalt pass Unpraised; for nothing lovelier can be found In woman than to study household good, And good works in her husband to promote. Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed 235 Labour as to debar us when we need Refreshment, whether food, or talk between, Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse Of looks and smiles; for smiles from reason flow To brute denied, and are of love the food— 240 Love, not the lowest end of human life. For not to irksome toil, but to delight, He made us, and delight to reason joined. These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands Will keep from wilderness with ease, as wide 245 As we need walk, till younger hands ere long Assist us. But, if much converse perhaps Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield; For solitude sometimes is best society, And short retirement urges sweet return. 250 But other doubt possesses me, lest harm Befall thee, severed from me; for thou know’st What hath been warned us—what malicious foe, Envying our happiness, and of his own Despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame 255 By sly assault and somewhere nigh at hand Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find His wish and best advantage, us asunder, Hopeless to circumvent us joined, where each To other speedy aid might lend at need. 260 Whether his first design be to withdraw Our fealty from God, or to disturb Conjugal love—than which perhaps no bliss Enjoyed by us excites his envy more— Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side 265 That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, Safest and seemliest by her husband stays, Who guards her, or with her the worst endures.” To whom the virgin majesty of Eve, 270 As one who loves, and some unkindness meets, With sweet austere composure thus replied:— “Offspring of Heaven and Earth, and all Earth’s lord! That such an Enemy we have, who seeks Our ruin, both by thee informed I learn, 275 And from the parting Angel overheard, As in a shady nook I stood behind, Just then returned at shut of evening flowers. But that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt To God or thee, because we have a foe 280 May tempt it, I expected not to hear. His violence thou fear’st not, being such As we, not capable of death or pain, Can either not receive, or can repel. His fraud is, then, thy fear; which plain infers 285 Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love Can by his fraud be shaken or seduced: Thoughts, which how found they harbour in thy breast, Adam! misthought of her to thee so dear?” To whom, with healing words, Adam replied:— 290 “Daughter of God and Man, immortal Eve!— For such thou art, from sin and blame entire— Not diffident of thee do I dissuade Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid The attempt itself, intended by our Foe. 295 For he who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses The tempted with dishonour foul, supposed Not incorruptible of faith, not proof Against temptation. Thou thyself with scorn And anger wouldst resent the offered wrong, 300 Though ineffectual found; misdeem not, then, If such affront I labour to avert From thee alone, which on us both at once The enemy, though bold, will hardly dare; Or, daring, first on me the assault shall light. 305 Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn— Subtle he needs must be who could seduce Angels—nor think superfluous others’ aid. I from the influence of thy looks receive Access in every virtue—in thy sight 310 More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were Of outward strength; while shame, thou looking on, Shame to be overcome or overreached, Would utmost vigour raise, and raised unite. Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel 315 When I am present, and thy trial choose With me, best witness of thy virtue tried?” So spake domestic Adam in his care And matrimonial love; but Eve, who thought Less attributed to her faith sincere, 320 Thus her reply with accent sweet renewed:— “If this be our condition, thus to dwell In narrow circuit straitened by a Foe, Subtle or violent, we not endued Single with like defence wherever met, 325 How are we happy, still in fear of harm? But harm precedes not sin: only our Foe Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem Of our integrity: his foul esteem Sticks no dishonour on our front, but turns 330 Foul on himself; then wherefore shunned or feared By us, who rather double honour gain From his surmise proved false, find peace within, Favour from Heaven, our witness, from the event? And what is faith, love, virtue, unassayed[RG53] 335 Alone, without exterior help sustained? Let us not then suspect our happy state Left so imperfet by the Maker wise As not secure to single or combined. Frail is our happiness, if this be so; 340 And Eden were no Eden, thus exposed.” To whom thus Adam fervently replied:— “O Woman, best are all things as the will Of God ordained them; his creating hand Nothing imperfet or deficient left 345 Of all that he created—much less Man, Or aught that might his happy state secure, Secure from outward force. Within himself The danger lies, yet lies within his power; Against his will he can receive no harm. 350 But God left free the Will; for what obeys Reason is free; and Reason he made right, But bid her well beware, and still erect, Lest, by some fair appearing good surprised, She dictate false, and misinform the Will 355 To do what God expressly hath forbid. Not then mistrust, but tender love, enjoins That I should mind thee oft; and mind thou me, Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve, Since Reason not impossibly may meet 360 Some specious object by the foe suborned, And fall into deception unaware, Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warned. Seek not temptation, then, which to avoid Were better, and most likely if from me 365 Thou sever not: trial will come unsought. Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve First thy obedience; the other who can know, Not seeing thee attempted, who attest? But, if thou think trial unsought may find 370 Us both securer than thus warned thou seem’st, Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more. Go in thy native innocence; rely On what thou hast of virtue; summon all; For God towards thee hath done his part: do thine.” 375 So spake the Patriarch of Mankind; but Eve Persisted; yet submiss, though last, replied:— “With thy permission, then, and thus forewarned, Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words Touched only, that our trial, when least sought, 380 May find us both perhaps far less prepared, The willinger I go, nor much expect A Foe so proud will first the weaker seek; So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse.” Thus saying, from her husband’s hand her hand 385 Soft she withdrew, and, like a wood—nymph light, Oread or Dryad, or of Delia’s train, Betook her to the groves, but Delia’s self In gait surpassed and goddess-like deport, Though not as she with bow and quiver armed, 390 But with such gardening tools as Art, yet rude, Guiltless of fire had formed, or Angels brought. To Pales, or Pomona, thus adorned, Likest she seemed—Pomona when she fled Vertumnus—or to Ceres in her prime, 395 Yet virgin of Proserpina from Jove. Her long with ardent look his eye pursued Delighted, but desiring more her stay. Oft he to her his charge of quick return Repeated; she to him as oft engaged 400 To be returned by noon amid the bower, And all things in best order to invite Noontide repast, or afternoon’s repose. O much deceived, much failing, hapless Eve, Of thy presumed return! event perverse! 405 Thou never from that hour in Paradise Found’st either sweet repast or sound repose; Such ambush, hid among sweet flowers and shades, Waited, with hellish rancour imminent, To intercept thy way, or send thee back 410 Despoiled of innocence, of faith, of bliss. For now, and since first break of dawn, the Fiend, Mere Serpent in appearance, forth was come, And on his quest where likeliest he might find The only two of mankind, but in them 415 The whole included race, his purposed prey. In bower and field he sought, where any tuft Of grove or garden-plot more pleasant lay, Their tendance or plantation for delight; By fountain or by shady rivulet 420 He sought them both, but wished his hap might find Eve separate; he wished, but not with hope Of what so seldom chanced, when to his wish, Beyond his hope, Eve separate he spies, Veiled in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood, 425 Half-spied, so thick the roses bushing round About her glowed, oft stooping to support Each flower of tender stalk, whose head, though gay Carnation, purple, azure, or specked with gold, Hung drooping unsustained. Them she upstays 430 Gently with myrtle band, mindless the while Herself, though fairest unsupported flower, From her best prop so far, and storm so nigh. Nearer he drew, and many a walk traversed Of stateliest covert, cedar, pine, or palm; 435 Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen Among thick-woven arborets, and flowers Imbordered on each bank, the hand of Eve: Spot more delicious than those gardens feigned Or of revived Adonis, or renowned 440 Alcinoüs, host of old Laertes’ son, Or that, not mystic, where the sapient king Held dalliance with his fair Egyptian spouse. Much he the place admired, the person more. As one who, long in populous city pent, 445 Where houses thick and sewers annoy the air, Forth issuing on a summer’s morn, to breathe Among the pleasant villages and farms Adjoined, from each thing met conceives delight— The smell of grain, or tedded[TK52] grass, or kine, 450 Or dairy, each rural sight, each rural sound— If chance with nymph-like step fair virgin pass, What pleasing seemed for her now pleases more, She most, and in her look sums all delight: Such pleasure took the Serpent to behold 455 This flowery plat, the sweet recess of Eve Thus early, thus alone. Her heavenly form Angelic, but more soft and feminine, Her graceful innocence, her every air Of gesture or least action, overawed 460 His malice, and with rapine sweet bereaved His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought. That space the Evil One abstracted stood From his own evil, and for the time remained Stupidly good, of enmity disarmed, 465 Of guile, of hate, of envy, of revenge. But the hot hell that always in him burns, Though in mid Heaven, soon ended his delight, And tortures him now more, the more he sees Of pleasure not for him ordained. Then soon 470 Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites:— “Thoughts, whither have ye led me? with what sweet Compulsion thus transported to forget What hither brought us? hate, not love, nor hope 475 Of Paradise for Hell, here to taste Of pleasure, but all pleasure to destroy, Save what is in destroying; other joy To me is lost. Then let me not let pass Occasion which now smiles. Behold alone 480 The Woman, opportune to all attempts— Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh, Whose higher intellectual more I shun, And strength, of courage haughty, and of limb Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould; 485 Foe not informidable, exempt from wound— I not; so much hath Hell debased, and pain Infeebled me, to what I was in Heaven. She fair, divinely fair, fit love for Gods, Not terrible, though terror be in love, 490 And beauty, not approached by stronger hate, Hate stronger under show of love well feigned— The way which to her ruin now I tend.” So spake the Enemy of Mankind, enclosed In serpent, inmate bad, and toward Eve 495 Addressed his way—not with indented wave, Prone on the ground, as since, but on his rear, Circular base of rising folds, that towered Fold above fold, a surging maze; his head Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes; 500 With burnished[TK53] neck of verdant [MK57] gold, erect Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass Floated redundant. Pleasing was his shape And lovely; never since the serpent kind Lovelier—not those that in Illyria changed 505 Hermione and Cadmus, or the God In Epidaurus; nor to which transformed Ammonian Jove, or Capitoline, was seen, He with Olympias, this with her who bore Scipio, the highth of Rome. With tract oblique 510 At first, as one who sought access but feared To interrupt, sidelong he works his way. As when a ship, by skilful steersman wrought Nigh river’s mouth or foreland, where the wind Veers oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her sail, 515 So varied he, and of his tortuous train Curled many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve, To lure her eye. She, busied, heard the sound Of rustling leaves, but minded not, as used To such disport before her through the field 520 From every beast, more duteous at her call Than at Circean call the herd disguised. He, bolder now, uncalled before her stood, But as in gaze admiring. Oft he bowed His turret crest and sleek enamelled neck, 525 Fawning, and licked the ground whereon she trod. His gentle dumb expression turned at length The eye of Eve to mark his play; he, glad Of her attention gained, with serpent-tongue Organic, or impulse of vocal air, 530 His fraudulent temptation thus began:— “Wonder not, sovran mistress (if perhaps Thou canst who art sole wonder), much less arm Thy looks, the heaven of mildness, with disdain, Displeased that I approach thee thus, and gaze 535 Insatiate, I thus single, nor have feared Thy awful brow, more awful thus retired. Fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair, Thee all things living gaze on, all things thine By gift, and thy celestial beauty adore, 540 With ravishment beheld—there best beheld Where universally admired. But here, In this enclosure wild, these beasts among, Beholders rude, and shallow to discern Half what in thee is fair, one man except, 545 Who sees thee (and what is one?) who shouldst be seen A Goddess among Gods, adored and served By Angels numberless, thy daily train?” So glozed the Tempter, and his proem tuned. Into the heart of Eve his words made way, 550 Though at the voice much marvelling; at length, Not unamazed, she thus in answer spake:— “What may this mean? Language of Man pronounced By tongue of brute, and human sense expressed! The first at least of these I thought denied 555 To beasts, whom God on their creation-day Created mute to all articulate sound; The latter I demur, for in their looks Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears. Thee, Serpent, subtlest beast of all the field 560 I knew, but not with human voice endued; Redouble, then, this miracle, and say, How cam’st thou speakable of mute, and how To me so friendly grown above the rest Of brutal kind that daily are in sight: 565 Say, for such wonder claims attention due.” To whom the guileful Tempter thus replied:— “Empress of this fair World, resplendent Eve! Easy to me it is to tell thee all What thou command’st, and right thou shouldst be obeyed. 570 I was at first as other beasts that graze The trodden herb, of abject thoughts and low, As was my food, nor aught but food discerned Or sex, and apprehended nothing high: Till on a day, roving the field, I chanced 575 A goodly tree far distant to behold, Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mixed, Ruddy and gold. In nearer drew to gaze; When from the boughs a savoury odour blown, Grateful to appetite, more pleased my sense 580 Than smell of sweetest fennel, or the teats Of ewe or goat dropping with milk at even, Unsucked of lamb or kid, that tend their play. To satisfy the sharp desire I had Of tasting those fair Apples, I resolved 585 Not to defer; hunger and thirst at once, Powerful persuaders, quickened at the scent Of that alluring fruit, urged me so keen. About the mossy trunk I wound me soon; For, high from ground, the branches would require 590 Thy utmost reach, or Adam’s; round the Tree All other beasts that saw, with like desire Longing and envying stood, but could not reach. Amid the tree now got, where plenty hung Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill 595 I spared not; for such pleasure till that hour At feed or fountain never had I found. Sated at length, ere long I might perceive Strange alteration in me, to degree Of Reason in my inward powers, and Speech 600 Wanted not long, though to this shape retained. Thenceforth to speculations high or deep I turned my thoughts, and with capacious mind Considered all things visible in Heaven, Or Earth, or Middle, all things fair and good. 605 But all that fair and good in thy Divine Semblance, and in thy beauty’s heavenly ray, United I beheld—no fair to thine Equivalent or second; which compelled Me thus, though importune perhaps, to come 610 And gaze, and worship thee of right declared Sovran of creatures, universal Dame!” So talked the spirited sly Snake; and Eve, Yet more amazed, unwary thus replied:— “Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt 615 The virtue of that Fruit, in thee first proved. But say, where grows the Tree? from hence how far? For many are the trees of God that grow In Paradise, and various, yet unknown To us; in such abundance lies our choice 620 As leaves a greater store of fruit untouched, Still hanging incorruptible, till men Grow up to their provision, and more hands Help to disburden Nature of her bearth.” To whom the wily Adder, [MK58] blithe and glad;— 625 “Empress, the way is ready, and not long— Beyond a row of myrtles, on a flat, Fast by a fountain, one small thicket past Of blowing myrrh and balm. If thou accept My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon.” 630 “Lead, then,” said Eve. He, leading, swiftly rowled In tangles, and made intricate seem straight, To mischief swift. Hope elevates, and joy Brightens his crest. As when a wandering fire, Compact of unctuous vapour, which the night 635 Condenses, and the cold invirons round, Kindled through agitation to a flame (Which oft, they say, some evil Spirit attends), Hovering and blazing with delusive light, Misleads the amazed night-wanderer from his way 640 To bogs and mires, and oft through pond or pool, There swallowed up and lost, from succour far: So glistered the dire Snake, and into fraud Led Eve, our credulous mother, to the Tree Of Prohibition, root of all our woe; 645 Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake:— “Serpent, we might have spared our coming hither, Fruitless to me, though fruit be here to excess, The credit of whose virtue rest with thee— Wondrous, indeed, if cause of such effects! 650 But of this tree we may not taste nor touch; God so commanded, and left that command Sole daughter of his voice: the rest, we live Law to ourselves; our Reason is our Law.” To whom the Tempter guilefully replied:— 655 “Indeed! Hath God then said that of the fruit Of all these garden-trees ye shall not eat, Yet lords declared of all in Earth or Air?” To whom thus Eve, yet sinless:—“Of the fruit Of each tree in the garden we may eat; 660 But of the fruit of this fair Tree, amidst The Garden, God hath said, ‘Ye shall not eat Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, lest ye die.’“ She scarce had said, though brief, when now more bold The Tempter, but, with shew of zeal and love 665 To Man, and indignation at his wrong, New part puts on, and, as to passion moved, Fluctuates disturbed, yet comely, and in act Raised, as of some great matter to begin. As when of old some orator renowned 670 In Athens or free Rome, where eloquence Flourished, since mute, to some great cause addressed, Stood in himself collected, while each part, Motion, each act, won audience ere the tongue Sometimes in highth began, as no delay 675 Of preface brooking through his zeal of right: So standing, moving, or to highth upgrown, The Tempter, all impassioned, thus began:— “O sacred, wise, and wisdom-giving Plant, Mother of science! now I feel thy power 680 Within me clear, not only to discern Things in their causes, but to trace the ways Of highest agents, deemed however wise. Queen of this Universe! do not believe Those rigid threats of death. Ye shall not die. 685 How should ye? By the Fruit? it gives you life To knowledge. By the Threatener? look on me, Me who have touched and tasted, yet both live, And life more perfect have attained than Fate Meant me, by venturing higher than my lot. 690 Shall that be shut to Man which to the Beast Is open? or will God incense his ire For such a petty trespass, and not praise Rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain Of death denounced, whatever thing Death be, 695 Deterred not from achieving what might lead To happier life, knowledge of Good and Evil? Of good, how just! of evil—if what is evil Be real, why not known, since easier shunned? God, therefore, cannot hurt ye and be just; 700 Not just, not God; not feared then, nor obeyed: Your fear itself of death removes the fear. Why, then, was this forbid? Why but to awe, Why but to keep ye low and ignorant, His worshipers? He knows that in the day 705 Ye eat thereof your eyes, that seem so clear, Yet are but dim, shall perfectly be then Opened and cleared, and ye shall be as Gods, Knowing both good and evil, as they know. That ye should be as Gods, since I as Man, 710 Internal Man, is but proportion meet— I, of brute, human; ye, of human, Gods. So ye shall die perhaps, by putting off Human, to put on Gods—death to be wished, Though threatened, which no worse than this can bring! 715 And what are Gods, that Man may not become As they, participating godlike food? The Gods are first, and that advantage use On our belief, that all from them proceeds. I question it; for this fair Earth I see, 720 Warmed by the Sun, producing every kind; Them nothing. If they all things, who enclosed Knowledge of Good and Evil in this Tree, That whoso eats thereof forthwith attains Wisdom without their leave? and wherein lies 725 The offence, that Man should thus attain to know? What can your knowledge hurt him, or this Tree Impart against his will, if all be his? Or is it envy? and can envy dwell In Heavenly breasts? These, these and many more 730 Causes import your need of this fair Fruit. Goddess humane, reach, then, and freely taste!” He ended; and his words, replete with guile, Into her heart too easy entrance won. Fixed on the Fruit she gazed, which to behold 735 Might tempt alone; and in her ears the sound Yet rung of his persuasive words, impregned With reason, to her seeming, and with truth. Meanwhile the hour of noon drew on, and waked An eager appetite, raised by the smell 740 So savoury of that Fruit, which with desire, Inclinable now grown to touch or taste, Solicited her longing eye; yet first, Pausing a while, thus to herself she mused:— “Great are thy virtues, doubtless, best of Fruits, 745 Though kept from Man, and worthy to be admired, Whose taste, too long forborne, at first assay Gave elocution to the mute, and taught The tongue not made for speech to speak thy praise. Thy praise he also who forbids thy use 750 Conceals not from us, naming thee the Tree Of Knowledge, knowledge both of Good and Evil; Forbids us then to taste. But his forbidding Commends thee more, while it infers the good By thee communicated, and our want; 755 For good unknown sure is not bad, or, had And yet unknown, is as not had at all. In plain, then, what forbids he but to know? Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise! Such prohibitions bind not. But, if Death 760 Bind us with after-bands, what profits then Our inward freedom? In the day we eat Of this fair Fruit, our doom is we shall die! How dies the Serpent? He hath eaten, and lives, And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discerns, 765 Irrational till then. For us alone Was death invented? or to us denied This intellectual food, for beasts reserved? For beasts it seems; yet that one beast which first Hath tasted envies not, but brings with joy 770 The good befallen him, author unsuspect, Friendly to Man, far from deceit or guile. What fear I, then? rather, what know to fear Under this ignorance of Good and Evil, Of God or Death, of law or penalty? 775 Here grows the cure of all, this fruit divine, Fair to the eye, inviting to the taste, Of virtue to make wise. What hinders, then, To reach, and feed at once both body and mind?” So saying, her rash hand in evil hour 780 Forth-reaching to the Fruit, she plucked, she eat. Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat, Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe That all was lost. Back to the thicket slunk The guilty Serpent, and well might, for Eve, 785 Intent now only her taste, naught else Regarded; such delight till then, as seemed, In fruit she never tasted, whether true, Or fancied so through expectation high Of knowledge; nor was Godhead from her thought. 790 Greedily she ingorged without restraint, And knew not eating death. Satiate at length, And hightened as with wine, jocond[MK55] and boon, Thus to herself she pleasingly began:— “O sovran, virtuous, precious of all trees 795 In Paradise! of operation blest To sapience, hitherto obscured, infamed, And thy fair Fruit let hang, as to no end Created! but henceforth my early care, Not without song, each morning, and due praise, 800 Shall tend thee, and the fertil burden ease Of thy full branches, offered free to all; Till, dieted by thee, I grow mature In knowledge, as the Gods who all things know, Though others envy what they cannot give— 805 For, had the gift been theirs, it had not here Thus grown! Experience, next to thee I owe, Best guide: not following thee, I had remained In ignorance; thou open’st Wisdom’s way, And giv’st access, though secret she retire. 810 And I perhaps am secret: Heaven is high— High, and remote to see from thence distinct Each thing on Earth; and other care perhaps May have diverted from continual watch Our great Forbidder, safe with all his Spies 815 About him. But to Adam in what sort Shall I appear? Shall I to him make known As yet my change, and give him to partake Full happiness with me, or rather not, But keep the odds of knowledge in my power 820 Without copartner? so to add what wants In female sex, the more to draw his love, And render me more equal, and perhaps— A thing not undesirable—sometime Superior; for, inferior, who is free? 825 This may be well; but what if God have seen, And death ensue? Then I shall be no more; And Adam, wedded to another Eve, Shall live with her enjoying, I extinct! A death to think! Confirmed, then, I resolve 830 Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe. So dear I love him that with him all deaths I could endure, without him live no life.” So saying, from the Tree her step she turned, But first low reverence done, as to the Power 835 That dwelt within, whose presence had infused Into the plant sciential sap, derived From nectar, drink of Gods. Adam the while, Waiting desirous her return, had wove Of choicest flowers a garland, to adorn 840 Her tresses, and her rural labours crown, As reapers oft are wont their harvest-queen. Great joy he promised to his thoughts, and new Solace in her return, so long delayed; Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill, 845 Misgave him. He the faltering measure felt, And forth to meet her went, the way she took That morn when first they parted. By the Tree Of Knowledge he must pass; there he her met, Scarce from the Tree returning; in her hand 850 A bough of fairest fruit, that downy smiled, New gathered, and ambrosial smell diffused. To him she hasted; in her face excuse Came prologue, and apology to prompt, Which, with bland words at will, she thus addressed:— 855 “Hast thou not wondered, Adam, at my stay? Thee I have missed, and thought it long, deprived Thy presence—agony of love till now Not felt, nor shall be twice; for never more Mean I to try, what rash untried I sought, 860 The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange Hath been the cause, and wonderful to hear. This Tree is not, as we are told, a Tree Of danger tasted, nor to evil unknown Opening the way, but of divine effect 865 To open eyes, and make them Gods who taste; And hath been tasted such. The Serpent wise, Or not restrained as we, or not obeying, Hath eaten of the Fruit, and is become Not dead, as we are threatened, but thenceforth 870 Endued with human voice and human sense, Reasoning to admiration, and with me Persuasively hath so prevailed that I Have also tasted, and have also found The effects to correspond—opener mine eyes, 875 Dim erst, dilated spirits, ampler heart, And growing up to Godhead; which for thee Chiefly I sought, without thee can despise. For bliss, as thou hast part, to me is bliss; Tedious, unshared with thee, and odious soon. 880 Thou, therefore, also taste, that equal lot May join us, equal joy, as equal love; Lest, thou not tasting, different degree Disjoin us, and I then too late renounce Deity for thee, when fate will not permit.” 885 Thus Eve with countenance blithe her story told; But in her cheek distemper flushing glowed. On the other side, Adam, soon as he heard The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed, Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill 890 Ran through his veins, and all his joints relaxed. From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed. Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length First to himself he inward silence broke:— 895 “O fairest of Creation, last and best Of all God’s works, creature in whom excelled Whatever can to sight or thought be formed, Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet! How art thou lost! how on a sudden lost, 900 Defaced, deflowered, and now to death devote! Rather, how hast thou yielded to transgress The strict forbiddance, how to violate The sacred Fruit forbidden? Some cursed fraud Of enemy hath beguiled thee, yet unknown, 905 And me with thee hath ruined; for with thee Certain my resolution is to die. How can I live without thee? how forgo Thy sweet converse, and love so dearly joined, To live again in these wild woods forlorn? 910 Should God create another Eve, and I Another rib afford, yet loss of thee Would never from my heart. No, no! I feel The link of nature draw me: flesh of flesh, Bone of my bone thou art, and from thy state 915 Mine never shall be parted, bliss or woe.” So having said, as one from sad dismay Recomforted, and, after thoughts disturbed, Submitting to what seemed remediless, Thus in calm mood his words to Eve he turned:— 920 “Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventrous Eve, And peril great provoked, who thus hast dared Had it been only coveting to eye That sacred Food, sacred to abstinence; Much more to taste it, under ban to touch. 925 But past who can recall, or done undo? Not God Omnipotent, nor Fate! Yet so Perhaps thou shalt not die; perhaps the fact Is not so hainous now-foretasted Fruit, Profaned first by the Serpent, by him first 930 Made common and unhallowed ere our taste, Nor yet on him found deadly. He yet lives— Lives, as thou saidst, and gains to live, as Man, Higher degree of life: inducement strong To us, as likely, tasting, to attain 935 Proportional ascent; which cannot be But to be Gods, or Angels, Demi-gods. Nor can I think that God, Creator wise, Though threatening, will in earnest so destroy Us, his prime creatures, dignified so high, 940 Set over all his works; which, in our fall, For us created, needs with us must fail, Dependent made. So God shall uncreate, Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour lose— Not well conceived of God; who, though his power 945 Creation could repeat, yet would be loth Us to abolish, lest the Adversary Triumph and say: ‘Fickle their state whom God Most favours; who can please him long? Me first He ruined, now Mankind; whom will he next?’— 950 Matter of scorn not to be given the Foe. However, I with thee have fixed my lot, Certain to undergo like doom. If death Consort with thee, death is to me as life; So forcible within my heart I feel 955 The bond of Nature draw me to my own— My own is thee; for what thou art is mine. Our state cannot be severed; we are one, One flesh; to lose thee were to lose myself.” So Adam; and thus Eve to him replied:— 960 “O glorious trial of exceeding love, Illustrious evidence, example high! Ingaging me to emulate; but, short Of thy perfection, how shall I attain, Adam? from whose dear side I boast me sprung, 965 And gladly of our union hear thee speak, One heart, one soul in both; whereof good proof This day affords, declaring thee resolved, Rather than death, or aught than death more dread, Shall separate us, linked in love so dear, 970 To undergo with me one guilt, one crime, If any be, of tasting this fair Fruit; Whose virtue (for of good still good proceeds, Direct, or by occasion) hath presented This happy trial of thy love, which else 975 So eminently never had been known. Were it I thought death menaced would ensue This my attempt, I would sustain alone The worst, and not persuade thee—rather die Deserted than oblige thee with a fact 980 Pernicious to thy peace, chiefly assured Remarkably so late of thy so true, So faithful love unequalled. But I feel Far otherwise the event—not death, but life Augmented, opened eyes, new hopes, new joys, 985 Taste so divine that what of sweet before Hath touched my sense flat seems to this and harsh. On my experience, Adam, freely taste, And fear of death deliver to the winds.” So saying, she embraced him, and for joy 990 Tenderly wept, much won that he his love Had so ennobled as of choice to incur Divine displeasure for her sake, or death. In recompense (for such compliance bad Such recompense best merits), from the bough 995 She gave him of that fair enticing Fruit With liberal hand. He scrupled not to eat, Against his better knowledge, not deceived, But fondly overcome with female charm. Earth trembled from her entrails, as again 1000 In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan; Sky loured, and, muttering thunder, some sad drops Wept at completing of the mortal Sin Original; while Adam took no thought, Eating his fill, nor Eve to iterate 1005 Her former trespass feared, the more to soothe Him with her loved society; that now, As with new wine intoxicated both, They swim in mirth, and fancy that they feel Divinity within them breeding wings 1010 Wherewith to scorn the Earth. But that false Fruit Far other operation first displayed, Carnal desire inflaming. He on Eve Began to cast lascivious eyes; she him As wantonly repaid; in lust they burn, 1015 Till Adam thus ’gan Eve to dalliance move:— “Eve, now I see thou art exact of taste And elegant—of sapience no small part; Since to each meaning savour we apply, And palate call judicious. I the praise 1020 Yield thee; so well this day thou hast purveyed. Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstained From this delightful Fruit, nor known till now True relish, tasting. If such pleasure be In things to us forbidden, it might be wished 1025 For this one Tree had been forbidden ten. But come; so well refreshed, now let us play, As meet is, after such delicious fare; For never did thy beauty, since the day I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorned 1030 With all perfections, so enflame my sense With ardour to enjoy thee, fairer now Than ever-bounty of this virtuous Tree!” So said he, and forbore not glance or toy Of amorous intent, well understood 1035 Of Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire. Her hand he seized, and to a shady bank, Thick overhead with verdant roof imbowered, He led her, nothing loth; flowers were the couch, Pansies, and violets, and asphodel, 1040 And hyacinth—Earth’s freshest, softest lap. There they their fill of love and love’s disport Took largely, of their mutual gilt the seal, The solace of their sin, till dewy sleep Oppressed them, wearied with their amorous play. 1045 Soon as the force of that fallacious Fruit, That with exhilarating vapour bland About their spirits had played, and inmost powers Made err, was now exhaled, and grosser sleep, Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams 1050 Incumbered, now had left them, up they rose As from unrest, and, each the other viewing, Soon found their eyes how opened, and their minds How darkened. Innocence, that as a veil Had shadowed them from knowing ill, was gone; 1055 Just confidence, and native righteousness, And honour, from about them, naked left To guilty Shame: he covered, but his robe Uncovered more. So rose the Danite strong, Herculean Samson, from the harlot-lap 1060 Of Philistean Dalilah, and waked Shorn of his strength; they destitute and bare Of all their virtue. Silent, and in face Confounded, long they sat, as strucken mute; Till Adam, though not less than Eve abashed, 1065 At length gave utterance to these words constrained:— “O Eve, in evil hour thou didst give ear To that false Worm, of whomsoever taught To counterfeit Man’s voice—true in our fall, False in our promised rising; since our eyes 1070 Opened we find indeed, and find we know Both good and evil, good lost and evil got: Bad Fruit of Knowledge, if this be to know, Which leaves us naked thus, of honour void, Of innocence, of faith, of purity, 1075 Our wonted ornaments now soiled and stained, And in our faces evident the signs Of foul concupiscence; whence evil store, Even shame, the last of evils; of the first Be sure then. How shall I behold the face 1080 Henceforth of God or Angel, erst with joy And rapture so oft beheld? Those Heavenly Shapes Will dazzle now this earthly with their blaze Insufferably bright. Oh, might I here In solitude live savage, in some glade 1085 Obscured, where highest woods, impenetrable To star or sunlight, spread their umbrage broad, And brown as evening. Cover me, ye pines! Ye cedars, with innumerable boughs Hide me, where I may never see them more! 1090 But let us now, as in bad plight, devise What best may, for the present, serve to hide The parts of each other that seem most To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen— Some tree, whose broad smooth leaves, together sewed, 1095 And girded on our loins, may cover round Those middle parts, that this new comer, Shame, There sit not, and reproach us as unclean.” So counselled he, and both together went Into the thickest wood. There soon they choose 1100 The fig tree—not that kind for fruit renowned, But such, as at this day, to Indians known, In Malabar or Decan spreads her arms Braunching so broad and long that in the ground The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow 1105 About the mother tree, a pillared shade High overarched, and echoing walks between: There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds At loop-holes cut through thickest shade. Those leaves 1110 They gathered, broad as Amazonian targe, And with what skill they had together sewed, To gird their waist—vain covering, if to hide Their guilt and dreaded shame! O how unlike To that first naked glory! Such of late 1115 Columbus found the American, so girt With feathered cincture, naked else and wild, Among the trees on isles and woody shores. Thus fenced, and, as they thought, their shame in part Covered, but not at rest or ease of mind, 1120 They sat them down to weep. Nor only tears Rained at their eyes, but high winds worse within Began to rise, high passions—anger, hate, Mistrust, suspicion, discord—and shook sore Their inward state of mind, calm region once 1125 And full of peace, now tost and turbulent: For Understanding ruled not, and the Will Heard not her lore, both in subjection now To sensual Appetite, who, from beneath Usurping over sovran Reason, claimed 1130 Superior sway. From thus distempered breast Adam, estranged in look and altered style, Speech intermitted thus to Eve renewed:— “Would thou hadst hearkened to my words, and stayed With me, as I besought thee, when that strange 1135 Desire of wandering, this unhappy morn, I know not whence possessed thee! We had then Remained still happy—not, as now, despoiled Of all our good, shamed, naked, miserable! Let none henceforth seek needless cause to approve 1140 The faith they owe; when earnestly they seek Such proof, conclude they then begin to fail.” To whom, soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve:— “What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe? Imput’st thou that to my default, or will 1145 Of wandering, as thou call’st it, which who knows But might as ill have happened thou being by, Or to thyself perhaps? Hadst thou been there, Or here the attempt, thou couldst not have discerned Fraud in the Serpent, speaking as he spake; 1150 No ground of enmity between us known Why he should mean me ill or seek to harm; Was I to have never parted from thy side? As good have grown there still, a lifeless rib. Being as I am, why didst not thou, the Head, 1155 Command me absolutely not to go, Going into such danger, as thou saidst? Too facile then, thou didst not much gainsay, Nay, didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss. Hadst thou been firm and fixed in thy dissent, 1160 Neither had I transgressed, nor thou with me.” To whom, then first incensed, Adam replied:— “Is this the love, is this the recompense Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve, expressed Immutable when thou wert lost, not I— 1165 Who might have lived, and joyed immortal bliss, Yet willingly chose rather death with thee? And am I now upbraided as the cause Of thy transgressing? not enough severe, It seems, in thy restraint! What could I more? 1170 I warned thee, I admonished thee, foretold The danger, and the lurking Enemy That lay in wait; beyond this had been force, And force upon free will hath here no place. But confidence then bore thee on, secure 1175 Either to meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps I also erred in overmuch admiring What seemed in thee so perfet that I thought No evil durst attempt thee, But I rue 1180 That error now, which is become my crime, And thou the accuser. Thus it shall befall Him who, to worth in women overtrusting, Lets her will rule: restraint she will not brook; And, left to herself, if evil thence ensue, 1185 She first his weak indulgence will accuse.” Thus they in mutual accusation spent The fruitless hours, but neither self—condemning; And of their vain contest’ appeared no end. |
[JH54] "Empyreal" Adjective. Means pertaining to heaven.
[JH55] "Affable" Adjective. Means easy to talk to or approachable, friendly, pleasant. [JH56] "Interdicted" Adjective. Means forbidden or prohibted. However, it is typically used in verb form with the definition, "To cut off authoritatively from certain ecclesiastical functions and privileges." [JH57] "Vacuous" Adjective. Means empty or purposeless. [MJ 54] Bellerophon was a hero in Greek mythology; slayer of monsters [MJ 55] A 'deity' is a god or goddess [MJ 56] omnipotence- a quality of having all or much power [MJ 57] diurnal rhomb: a crystal representing daytime [CH54]-immutably-not capable of or susceptible to change. [CH55]- Filial-of or due from a son or daughter or denoting the generation or generations after the parental generation. [CH56]-fervid-intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree. or burning, hot, or glowing [CH57]-tartareous,-in ancient Greek mythology, is the deep abyss that is used as a dungeon of torment and suffering for the wicked and as the prison for the Titans. [EG17] "forlorn" is to be sad, left alone or lonely [EG18] Rhodope - a rocky mountain range located in southeastern Europe: shared land Bulgaria and Greece [EG19] "equipage" Equipment for a specific purpose/Carriage with attendants [EG20] "Ethereal" delicate and light in a form that seems to perfect for this world [MK55] "Jocond," in line 370 of book 7 and line 793 of book 9, means sprightly and lighthearted in disposition, character, or quality. [MK56] "Libbard," in line 467 of book 7, is a leopard. [MK57] "Verdant, in line 310 of book 7, 631 of book 8, and 501 and 1038 of book 9, means (of countryside) green with grass or other rich vegetation. [MK58] "Adder," in line 625 of book 9, is a small venomous Eurasian snake that has a dark zigzag pattern on its back and bears live young. [DM50] Urania: the muse of Astronomy [DM51] from this flying steed unreined: Bellerophon tried to fly to heaven but Zeus caused the horse to buck him off by sending a gladfly to sting the horse and he fell to the Earth. He wandered the Earth forever despised by everyone, God or man. [DM52] More safe I sing with mortal voice: Sets itself in opposition with Dante's inferno where he requires more divine help as he moves from Inferno to Paradiso. As he moves from a smaller story to a larger story divine help is needed. Milton reverses this, he begins with Satan's fall and moves to a lesser story, the fall of man. This requires more divine help in the beginning, then less as the story progresses. [DM53] Bacchus: Dionysus, known as Bacchus in Roman mythology, is god of grape harvest, wine, ritual madness, fertility, and religious ecstasy. He is known to induce frenzy. [RG50] Harbinger- a person or a thing that goes before something else to announce or signal its approach [RG51] Hesperus is known as the Evening Star in Greek mythology. It is the planet Venus. [RG52] Officious- assertive or aggressive in offering help or advice; intrusive [RG53] Unassayed- not attempted or tried by a person or thing [TK50] “arbiter” in line 50 of Book IX refers to a person empowered to decide matters at issue [TK51] “maugre” in line 56 of Book IX means in spite of [TK52] “tedded” in line 450 of Book IX means spread out to dry [TK53] “burnished” in line 501 of Book IX means polished or made smooth and bright [RD50] Refers to Orpheus who a decent into the underworld to get his wife back. He persuades Hades and Persephone to let her return with him, under the condition that he not look back at her. Orpheus, however, turns to her and she disappears before his eyes. He takes to the mountains where he hides and lives among the Thracians. [RD51] Apostasy- the abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief [RD52] Circumfluous- surrounded by water [RD53] Turnus- chief antagonist of Aneas in Virgil’s Aeneid. They competed for Lavina’s hand in marriage [SH54] revellers - a person who is enjoying themselves in a lively and noisy way. [SH55] detriment - the state of being harmed or damaged [SH56] obliquities - deviation from moral rectitude or sound thinking. [SH57] transpicuous - transparent [SH58] colloquy - conversation especially about theology [JM53] “Diurnal Sphere” http://www.physics.csbsju.edu/astro/CS/images/CS.diurnal.t.gif (blue circle with stick figure represents Earth) [JM54] “promontory” meaning a point of high land that juts out into a large body of water; a headland [JM55] "firmament" meaning the heavens or the sky, especially when regarded as a tangible thing [JM56] “Seraph” meaning an angelic being, regarded in traditional Christian angelology as belonging to the highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy, associated with light, ardor, and purity [HG50] (book 7, line 201) Myriad- a military unit of ten thousand [HG51] (book 7, line 357) Globose- spherical [HG52] (book 7, Line 428) Aerie- large bird of prey [HG53] (book 7, line 445) Florid- reddish or flush, elaborately complicated [RC50] Empyrean means belonging to or deriving from heaven. [RC51] Uncircumscribed means that hell is not defined, enclosed, nor is it encircled/ mapped by the emissaries of heaven. [RC52] Sapience means wisdom; sagacity. [RC53] Auditress means female hearer, a devout listener. |
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