60 "Man's friend, his Mediator-his design'd Resplendent all his Father manifest Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild : 66 Mine, both in heaven and earth, to do thy will 70 "Supreme; that thou in me, thy Son belov'd, "May'st ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge "On earth these thy transgressors; but thou knowest, "Whoever judg'd, the worst on me must light "When time shall be; for so I undertook 75" Before thee; and, not repenting, this obtain 80 "Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 85 "Conviction to the serpent none belongs." Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose Accompanied to heaven-gate; from whence 90 Down he descended straight: the speed of gods From noon; and gentle airs, due at their hour, 95 The ev'ning cool; when he, from wrath more cool, To sentence man. The voice of God they heard, Now walking in the garden, by soft winds Brought to their ears while day declin'd—they heard, 100 And from his presence hid themselves among The thickest trees, both man and wife; till God "Where art thou, Adam, wont with joy to meet My coming seen far off? I miss thee here, 105Not pleas'd, thus entertain'd with solitude, "Where obvious duty erewhile appear'd unsought. "Or come I less conspicuous? or what change "Absents thee? or what chance detains? Come forth!" He came; and with him Eve, more loth, though first 110 To offend-discount'nanc'd both, and discompos'd: Love was not in their looks, either to God, Or to each other; but apparent guilt, And shame, and perturbation, and despair, Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. 115 Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answer'd brief: 120 125 130 To whom The gracious Judge, without revile, replied: 66 My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, "But still rejoic'd; how is it now become "So dreadful to thee? That thou art naked, who 'Myself the total crime, or to accuse My other self, the partner of my life; "Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, 66 By my complaint: but strict necessity 135 "Devolv'd: though, should I hold my peace, yet thou "Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. "This woman, whom thou mad'st to be my help, 140"That from her hand I could suspect no ill, To whom the Sov'ran Presence thus replied: 66 Superior, or but equal, that to her "Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place "Wherein God set thee above her made of thee, 150 "And for thee, whose perfection far excell'd "Hers in all real dignity? Adorn'd "She was indeed, and lovely, to attract "Thy love, not thy subjection; and her gifts "Were such, as under government well seem'd155" Unseemly to bear rule; which was thy part "And person, hadst thou known thyself aright." So having said, he thus to Eve in few: "Say, woman, what is this which thou hast done?" To whom sad Eve, with shame nigh overwhelm'd, 160 Confessing soon, yet not before her Judge Bold or loquacious, thus abash'd replied: 170 Concern'd not man, (since he no further knew,) 175 180 Though in mysterious terms, judg'd as then best: "Because thou hast done this, thou art accurs'd "Above all cattle, each beast of the field; 66 Upon thy belly grovelling thou shalt go, 66 Enmity, and between thine and her seed; "Her seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel.” So spake this oracle, then verified When Jesus, Son of Mary, second Eve, Saw Satan fall, like lightning, down from heaven, 185 Prince of the air; then, rising from his grave, Spoil'd Principalities and Powers, triumph'd In open show; and, with ascension bright, Captivity led captive through the air, The realm itself of Satan, long usurp'd; 190 Whom he shall tread at last under our feet, Ev'n he, who now foretold his fatal bruise: And to the woman thus his sentence turn'd: "Thy sorrow I will greatly multiply "By thy conception; children thou shalt bring "In sorrow forth; and to thy husband's will "Thine shall submit; he over thee shall rule." 195 200 205 On Adam last thus judgment he pronounc'd: "I charg'd thee, saying, ' Thou shalt not eat thereof;' "Thorns also, and thistles, it shall bring thee forth So judg'd he man, both Judge and Saviour sent; 210 And the instant stroke of death denounc'd that day, Remov'd far off; then, pitying how they stood Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin Their nakedness with skins of beasts, or slain, Of beasts, but inward nakedness, much more To him with swift ascent he up return'd, 225 Into his blissful bosom re-assum'd In glory, as of old-to him appeas'd All, though all-knowing-what had pass'd with man Meanwhile, ere thus was sinn'd and judg'd on earth, 235 "O son! why sit we here each other viewing "Idly, while Satan, our great author, thrives "In other worlds, and happier seat provides "For us his offspring dear? It cannot be "But that success attends him: if mishap, 240"Ere this he had return'd, with fury driv'n "By his avengers; since no place like this "Can fit his punishment, or their revenge. "Methinks I feel new strength within me rise— Wings growing—and dominion given me large, "Beyond this deep; whatever draws me on"Or sympathy, or some connatural force, "Powerful at greatest distance to unite, "With secret amity, things of like kind, 245 66 |