Shall leave them to enjoy: (for th' earth shall bear

More than enough, that temperance may be try'd :)
So all fhall turn degenerate, all deprav'd;

Juftice and temperance, truth and faith forgot!
One man except, the only fon of light
In a dark age, againft example good,
Against allurement, cuftom, and a world
Offended: fearless of reproach and scorn,
Or violence, he of their wicked ways
Shall them admonish; and before them fet

806

810

The paths of righteousness, how much more safe,

And full of peace! denouncing wrath to come

815

On their impenitence; and fhall return
Of them derided. But, of GoD obferv'd,
The one just man alive, by His command
Shall build a wondrous ark (as thou beheldst)
To fave himself and houshold, from amidst
A world devote to univerfal wreck,

No fooner he, with them of man, and beast,
Select for life, fhall in the ark be lodg'd,
And fhelter'd round; but all the cataracts
Of heav'n fet open, on the earth fhall pour
Rain, day and night; all fountains of the deep
Broke up, fhall heave the ocean to ufurp
Beyond all bounds; 'till inundation rife

820

825

Above the highest hills. Then shall this mount
Of Paradife, by might of waves, be mov'd
Out of his place, pufh'd by the horned flood;
With all his verdure spoil'd, and trees adrift
Down the great river to the opening gulf,

830

And there take root; an ifland falt and bare,

The haunt of feals, and ores, and fea-mews' clang;

To teach thee that GoD attributes to place

836

No fanctity, if none be thither brought

By men who there frequent, or therein dwell.
And now what further shall ensue, behold.

He look'd, and faw the ark hull on the flood, Which now abated: for the clouds were fled, Driv'n by a keen north-wind, that, blowing dry,

840

Wrinkled

Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd;
And the clear fun on his wide wat❜ry glafs
Gaz'd hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew,
As after thirft; which made their flowing shrink
From standing lake, to tripping ebb; that stole
With foft foot tow'rds the deep; who now had ftop'd
His fluices, as the heav'n his windows fhut,

845

851

The ark no more now floats, but feems on ground,
Faft on the top of fome high mountain fix'd,

And on the tops of hills, as rocks, appear:
With clamour thence the rapid currents drive
Tow'rds the retreating fea, their furious tide.
Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies,
And after him (the furer meffenger)

855

A dove, fent forth once and again, to fpy

Green tree or ground, whereon his foot may light:
The fecond time returning, in his bill

An olive-leaf he brings, pacific fign!

860

Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark
The ancient fire descends, with all his train:
Then with up-lifted hands, and eyes devout,
Grateful to heav'n, over his head beholds
A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow
Confpicuous, with three lifted colours
Betok'ning peace from God and covenant new:
Whereat the heart of ADAM, erst so fad,
Greatly rejoyc'd; and thus his joy broke forth.

gay,

O thou, who future things canft represent
As prefent, heav'nly inftructor! I revive
At this laft fight; affur'd that man fhall live,
With all the creatures, and their feed preferve.
Far lefs I now lament for one whole world
Of wicked fons deftroy'd, than I rejoyce
For one man found fo perfect, and fo juft,
That God vouchfafes to raise another world

865

870

875

From him, and all His anger to forget.

But fay, what mean thofe colour'd ftreaks in heav'n,
Distended as the brow of GoD appeas'd?

880

Or ferve they, as a flow'ry verge, to bind

The

The fluid fkirts of that fame wat'ry cloud,

Left it again diffolve, and fhow'r the earth?

To whom th' Arch-Angel. Dext'rously thou aim'ft: So willingly doth GOD remit His ire, 885

Though late, repenting Him of man deprav'd:
Griev'd at his Heart, when looking down he faw
The whole earth fill'd with violence; and all flesh
Corrupting each their way: yet, those remov'd,
Such grace fhall one just man find in His fight,

That he relents, not to blot out mankind;
And makes a covenant never to destroy
The earth again by flood; nor let the fea

890

Surpafs His bounds; nor rain to drown the world,
With man therein, or beast: but when He brings

Over the earth a cloud, will therein set

896

His triple-colour'd bow, whereon to look,

And call to mind his covenant: day and night,
Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary froft,

899

Shall hold their courfe; 'till fire purge all things new, Both heav'n and earth, wherein the juft fhall dwell.

The end of the eleventh Book.

THE

The Angel Michael continues from the flood to relate what fball fucceed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain, who that feed of the woman shall be, which was promifed Adam and Eve in the Fall: His Incarnation, Death, Refurrection, and Afcenfion The ftate of the Church 'till His fecond coming. Adamreatly Satisfied, and recomforted by those relations and promises, defcends the bill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had flept, but with gentle dreams compos'd to quietness of mind and fubmiffion. Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradife, the fiery fword waving behind them, and the Cherubim taking their fations to guard the place.

AS

ILightbody fculp

LilXII.