Unlooked for are we fallen! Our eyes beheld For whither is he gone? what accident Send thy Messiah forth; the time is come. Behold the kings of the earth, how they oppress 40 50 Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence: Soon we shall see our hope, our joy, return.” Thus they out of their plaints new hope resume To find whom at the first they found unsought. But to his mother Mary, when she saw 60 Others returned from baptism, not her Son, Nor left at Jordan tidings of him none, Within her breast though calm, her breast though pure, : Some troubled thoughts, which she in sighs thus clad :- To have conceived of God, or that salute, Of other women, by the birth I bore : In such a season born, when scarce a shed From the bleak air? A stable was our warmth, Were dead, who sought his life, and, missing, filled 70 With infant blood the streets of Bethlehem. I looked for some great change. To honour? no; That to the fall and rising he should be Of many in Israel, and to a sign Spoken against-that through my very soul A sword shall pierce. This is my favoured lot, Afflicted I may be, it seems, and blest! I will not argue that, nor will repine. But where delays he now? Some great intent Conceals him. When twelve years he scarce had seen, I lost him, but so found as well I saw He could not lose himself, but went about His Father's business. What he meant I mused- All his great work to come before him set- His end of being on Earth, and mission high. Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone There, without sign of boast, or sign of joy, Solicitous and blank, he thus began : 120 "Princes, Heaven's ancient Sons, Ethereal Thrones Demonian Spirits now, from the element Each of his reign allotted, rightlier called Powers of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth beneath (So may we hold our place and these mild seats Without new trouble!)-such an enemy Is risen to invade us, who no less Threatens than our expulsion down to Hell. I, as I undertook, and with the vote Consenting in full frequence was empowered, 130 Have found him, viewed him, tasted him; but find Than when I dealt with Adam, first of men, Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell, However to this Man inferior far If he be Man by mother's side, at least With more than human gifts from Heaven adorned And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds. Therefore I am returned, lest confidence Or counsel to assist, lest I, who erst Thought none my equal, now be overmatched." So spake the old Serpent, doubting, and from all With clamour was assured their utmost aid At his command; when from amidst them rose ༣ The sensualest, and, after Asmodai, The fleshliest Incubus, and thus advised :— As the noon sky, more like to goddesses Than mortal creatures, graceful and discreet, And sweet allayed, yet terrible to approach, Such object hath the power to soften and tame 140 150 160 Women, when nothing else, beguiled the heart 170 And made him bow, to the gods of his wives." To whom quick answer Satan thus returned :— In courts and regal chambers how thou lurk'st, In wood or grove, by mossy fountain-side, In valley or green meadow, to waylay Some beauty rare, Calisto, Clymene, Daphne, or Semele, Antiopa, 180 Or Amymone, Syrinx, many more Too long-then lay'st thy scapes on names adored, 190 Satyr, or Faun, or Silvan? But these haunts Delight not all. Among the sons of men How many have with a smile made small account All her assaults, on worthier things intent! Of beauty and her lures, easily scorned A youth, how all the beauties of the East Of honour, wealth, high fare, aimed not beyond Thence to the bait of women lay exposed. Discountenance her despised, and put to rout 200 210 All her array, her female pride deject, Or turn to reverent awe! For Beauty stands 220 Led captive; cease to admire, and all her plumes At every sudden slighting quite abashed. Of worth, of honour, glory, and popular praise (Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wrecked); Or that which only seems to satisfy Lawful desires of nature, not beyond. And now I know he hungers, where no food The rest commit to me; I shall let pass No advantage, and his strength as oft assay." 230 He ceased, and heard their grant in loud acclaim; Then forthwith to him takes a chosen band Of Spirits likest to himself in guile, To be at hand and at his beck appear. If cause were to unfold some active scene Then to the desert takes with these his flight, Of various persons, each to know his part; 24C Where still, from shade to shade, the Son of God, Now hungering first, and to himself thus said : "Where will this end? Four times ten days I have passed Wandering this woody maze, and human food Nor tasted, nor had appetite. That fast To virtue I impute not, or count part Or God support nature without repast, Though needing, what praise is it to endure? It was the hour of night, when thus the Son Of trees thick interwoven. There he slept, Of meats and drinks, nature's refreshment sweet. 250 260 |