THE

ΤΕΝΤΗ ΒΟΟΚ

OF

PARADISE LOST.

The ARGUMENT.

Man's tranfgreffion known, the Guardian Angels for fake Paradife; and return up to heaven to approve their vigilance,, and are approv'd, Gon declaring that the entrance of SATAN could not be by them prevented. He fends his SON to judge the tranfgreffors; who defcends, and gives Sentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and re-afcends. Sin and Death, fitting till then at the gates of hell, by wondrous fympathy feeling the fuccefs of Satan in this new world, and the fin by man there committed, refolve to fit no longer confin'd in hell, but to follow Satan their fire up to the place of man: to make the way eafier from bell to this world to and fro, they pave, a broad high-way, or bridge, over Chaos, according to the track that Satan first. made; then, preparing for earth, they meet him, proud of his fuccefs, returning to Hell: their mutual gratulation: Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full affembly relates with baafting his fuccefs against man: instead of applaufe, is entertain'd with a general bifs by all his audience, transform'd,

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with himself alfo, fuddenly into ferpents, according to his doom giv'n in Paradife: then, deluded with a few of the forbidden tree fpringing up before them, they greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew duft and bitter afbes. The proceedings of Sin and Death; GOD foretels the final victory of His SON over them, and the renewing of all things; but for the prefent commands His Angels to make feveral alterations in the heavens and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fall'n condition, heavily bewails; rejects the condolement of EvE; fhe perfifts, and at length appeafes him: then, to evade the curfe likely to fall on their off-fpring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which be approves not; but conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promife made them, that her feed fhould be reveng'd on the ferpent; and exhorts her with him to leek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and fupplication.

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Ean-while the hainous and defpiteful act
Of SATAN, done in Paradise, and how
He, in the ferpent, had perverted Eve,
Her husband fhe, to tefte the fatal fruit,
Was known in heav'n: for what can
'scape the eye

Of GoD all-feeing, or deceive His heart

Omnifcient? Who, in all things wife and juft,
Hinder'd not SATAN, to attempt the mind

Of man; with strength entire, and free-will arm'd ;-
Complete to have difcover'd, and repuls'd
Whatever wiles of woe, or feeming friend.
For ftill they knew (and ought t'have ftill remember'd)
The high injunction, not to tafte that fruit,
Whoever tempted: which they not obeying,
Incurr'd (what could they lefs?) the penalty;
And, manifold in fin, deserv'd to fall..

Up into heav'n, from Paradise, in hafte
Th'angelic guards afcended, mute and fad,
For man; for of his ftate by this they knew:
Much wond'ring how the fubtil fiend had stol'n
Entrance unfeen. Soon as th'unwelcome news

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From

From earth arriv'd at heav'n-gate, difpleas'd

All were who heard: dim sadness did not spare
That time cœleftial vifages: yet mix'd

With pity, violated not their blifs.

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About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes

Th'æthereal peeple ran, to hear and know,

How all befel: they tow'rds the throne fupreme,
Accountable, made hafte, to make appear,
With righteous plea, their utmoft vigilance:
And easily approv'd: when the Most High
Eternal FATHER, from His fecret cloud
Amidft, in thunder utter'd thus His voice.

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Affembled Angels, and ye Pow'rs return'd. From unfuccefsful charge! be not difmay'd, Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth, Which your fincereft care could not prevent; Foretold fo lately what would come to pass,

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When first this tempter cross'd the gulf from hell.
I told ye then he should prevail, and speed
On his bad errand; man fhould be feduc'd,
And flatter'd out of all, believing lies
Against his Maker: no decree, of Mine
Concurring to neceffitate his fall;

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Or touch with lightest moment of impulfe
His free-will, to her own inclining left
In eyen fcale, But fall'n he is and now

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Forbearance no acquittance, e're day end.
Juftice fhall not return, as bounty, fcorn'd.

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But whom fend I to judge them? whom, but Thee?
Vicegerent Soy? To Thee I have transferr'd
All judgment, whether in heav'n, or earth, or hell.
Eafy it might be feen that I intend

Mercy collegue with juftice, fending Thee,
Man's friend, his Mediator, his defign'd

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