971 Proud limitary Cherub; but ere then Turn'd fiery red, sharp'ning in mooned horns Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind Sways them; the careful plowman doubting stands, Lest on the threshing-floor his hopeful sheaves His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest 986 Sat horror plum'd; nor wanted in his grasp What seem'd both spear and shield. Now dread ful deeds Might have ensu'd, nor only Paradise In this commotion, but the starry cope Of Heav'n perhaps, or all the elements 990 At least had gone to wrack, disturb'd and torn With violence of this conflict, had not soon 995 Th' Eternal, to prevent such horrid fray, Hung forth in Heav'n his golden scales, yet seen Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign, 1001 Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, mine; 1006 Neither our own, but giv'n: What folly then To boast what arms can do? since thine no more Than Heav'n permits, nor mine, tho' doubled now To trample thee as mire: for proof look up, And read thy lot in yon celestial sign, IOII Where thou art weigh'd, and shewn how light, how weak, If thou resist. The Fiend look'd up, and knew His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled Murm'ring, and with him fled the shades of night. END OF THE FOURTH BOOK. THE ARGUMENT. Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam ber troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her: They come forth to their day labours: Their morning hymn at the door of their bower. God, to render man inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of bis obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at band, who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise, his appearance described, his coming discerned by Adam afar off, sitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam of his state and of b's enemy; relates, at Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him, persuading all but only Abdiel a Seraph; who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him. PARADISE LOST. BOOK THE FIFTH. NOW WOW Morn her rosy steps in th'eastern clime When Adam wak'd, so custom'd, for his sleep II |