From all his alimental recompense In humid exhalations; and at ev'n Sups with the ocean. Though in heav'n the Trees Yield Nectar; though from off the boughs each morn As may compare with heaven; and to taste Think not I fhall be nice.So down they fat, 425 430 The Angel, nor in mift, (the common glofs 435 To tranfubftantiate what redounds, tranfpires Through Spirits with ease; nor wonder if by fire 440 Can turn, or holds it poffible to turn, Metals of droffieft ore to perfect gold, As from the Mine. Mean while at table EVE Thus when with meats, and drinks, they had fuffic'd,, Not burden'd nature, fudden mind arose. In ADAM, not to let th' occafion pass, - Inhabitant with Gop!-n 455 460 Thy Thy favour, in this honour done to man; As that more willingly thou couldst not seem 465 At heav'n's high feasts t' have fed: yet what compare? To whom the winged Hierarch reply'd. 470 475 Proportion'd to each kind. So, from the root Springs lighter the green stalk; from thence the leaves More aery; laft, the bright confummate flow'r 481 Spirits odorous breathes; flow'rs, and their fiuit,. (Man's nourishment) by gradual scale sublim'd, To vital fpirits afpire, to animal, 485. 'To intellectual; give both life, and sense, Is ofteft yours, the latter most is ours; faw good To proper fubftance. Time may come when men With Angels may participate, and find No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare: And from thefe corporal nutriments, perhaps,. 490 495 500 If ye be found obedient, and retain. Unalterably firm His love entire, Whofe progeny you are. Mean while, enjoy To whom the patriarch of mankind reply'd : Well haft thou taught the way that might direct 505. Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set 510 In contemplation of created things, By steps we may afcend to GOD. But fay, What meant the caution join'd, IF YE BE FOUND OBEDIENT? Can we want obedience then To Him? or poffibly His love defert 515 Who form'd us from the duft, and plac'd us here, Full to the utmost measure of what blifs Human defires can feek, or apprehend? To whom the Angel. Son of heav'n and earth, 520 525 530 Finds no acceptance, nor can find for how, Can hearts, not free, be try'd, whether they ferve Willing or no, who will but what they must By destiny, and can no other chufe? My felf, and all th' angelic host, that stand 535 In fight of GoD inthron'd, our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds ; Becaufe Because we freely love; as in our will Thy words To whom our great progenitor. Attentive, and with more delighted ear, Divine inftructor! I have heard, than when 540 545 Cherubic fongs by night from neighbouring hills Aereal mufic fend. Nor knew I not To be both will and deed, created free: Yet, that we never fhall forget to love 550 Our Maker, and obey Him, whofe command Single, is yet fo juft, my conftant thoughts Affur'd me, and still affure; though what thou tell❜ft Hath paft in heav'n, fome doubt within me move, 555 The full relation: which muft needs be strange, And we have yet large day; for, fcarce the fun 560 Thus ADAM made requeft; and RAPHAEL, After short pause affenting, thus began. High matter thou injoin'ft me, O prime of men! Sad tafk, and hard! For how fhall I relate To human fense th' invifible exploits 565 Of warring fpirits? How, without remorse, The ruin of fo many, glorious once, And perfect, while they ftood? how laft, unfold Not lawful to reveal? Yet, for thy good, This is difpens'd: and what furmounts the reach 570 575 Each Each t'other like, more than on earth is thought? As yet this world was not, and CHAOS Wild [refts Reign'd where these heav'ns now rowl, where earth now As heav'n's great year brings forth, th' empyreal hoft 580 585 590 595 By whom in bliss imbosom'd fat the Son, Brightnefs had made invifible) thus fpake. Hear, all ye Angels, progeny of light, 600 Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Pow'rs! Hear My decree, which unrevok'd shall stand. This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son, and on this holy hill Him have anointed, whom ye now behold 605 At my right hand: your Head I Him appoint: And by my self have fworn, to Him fhall bow All knees in heav'n, and fhall confefs Him Lord 610 For ever happy: Him who difobeys, Me difobeys, breaks union, and that day |