Cloth'd us unworthy, pitying while he judg❜d. And teach us further by what means to shun 1071 The air attrite to fire, as late the clouds [down Such fire to use, And what may else be remedy or cure To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, He will instruct us praying, and of grace 1071 foment] Virg. Æn. i. 175. Suscepitque ignem foliis, atque arida circum Hume. 1081 1078 fire] 'Be tired with holy fire.' Quarles' Emblems, p. 293. 1076 or pine] Fenton and Bentley read ' and pine.' 1085 Beseeching him, so as we need not fear From his displeasure, in whose look serene, shone? 1100 So spake our father penitent, nor Eve Felt less remorse: they forthwith, to the place Repairing where he judg'd them, prostrate fell Before him reverent, and both confess'd Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd, with tears Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign Of sorrow unfeign'd and humiliation meek. 1091 Frequenting] Tempesting. Bentl. MS. so in line 1103. 223 PARADISE LOST. BOOK XI. THE ARGUMENT. THE Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in paradise; sends Michael with a band of cherubim to dispossess them; but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to meet him: the angel denounces their departure. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: the angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the flood. THUS they in lowliest plight repentant stood The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh Inspir'd, and wing'd for heaven with speedier flight Not of mean suitors, nor important less 11 In fables old] Fables told this. Bentl. MS. Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine 25 See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung From thy implanted grace in man, these sighs And prayers, which, in this golden censer mix'd With incense, I thy priest before thee bring, Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed Sown with contrition in his heart, than those Which his own hand manuring all the trees Of paradise could have produc'd, ere fall'n From innocence. Now therefore bend thine ear 30 To supplication, hear his sighs though mute; Unskilful with what words to pray, let me Interpret for him, me his advocate 35 And propitiation; all his works on me 15 envious] Ov. Met. x. 642. Detulit aura preces ad me non invida blandas. Number'd, though sad, till death, his doom (which I To better life shall yield him, where with me To whom the Father, without cloud, serene. 45 Try'd in sharp tribulation, and refin'd By faith and faithful works, to second life, Resigns him up with heaven and earth renew'd. 55 60 65 [hide Thro' heaven's wide bounds; from them I will not |