Paradife Loft.

BOOK VIII.

The ARGUMENT.

Adam inquires concerning celestial Motions, is doubtfully answer'd, und exborted to fearch rather things more worthy of knowledge: Adam affents, and ftill defirous to detain Raphael, relates to him what he remember'd fince his own Creation, his talk with God concerning folitude and fit fociety, his first meeting and Nuptials with Eve, his difcourfe with the Angel thereupon; who after admonitions repeated departs.

Lib. VIII

'HE Angel ended, and in Adam's Ear

Tso Charming left his voice, that he a while

Thought him ftill fpeaking, ftill ftood fixt to hear;
Then as new wak'd thus gratefully reply'd.
What thanks fufficient, or what recompence
Equal have I to render thee, Divine
Hiftorian, who thus largely haft allay'd ́
The thirst I had of knowledge, and vouchfaf'd
This friendly condefcention to relate

Things elfe by me unfearchable, now heard
With wonder, but delight, and, as is due,
With glory attributed to the high
Creator; fomething yet of doubt remains,
Which only thy folution can refolve.

When I behold this goodly Frame, this World
Of Heav'n and Earth confifting, and compute,
Their magnitudes, this Earth a fpot, a grain,
An Atom, with the Firmament compar'd
And all her number'd Stars, that feem to rowl
Spaces incomprehenfible (for fuch

Their diftance argues, and their swift return
Diurnal) meerly to officiate light
Round this opacous Earth, this punctual spot,
One day and night; in all their vaft furvey
Ufelefs befides, reafoning I oft admire,
How Nature wife and frugal could commit
Such difproportions, with fuperfluous hand
So many nobler Bodies to create,

Greater fo manifold to this one ufe,

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For aught appears, and on their Orbs impose 30
Such restless revolution day by day
Repeated, while the fedentary Earth,

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That better might with far lefs compass move,
Serv'd by more noble than her felf, attains
Her end without leaft motion, and receives,
As Tribute fuch a fumlefs journey brought
Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light;
Speed, to defcribe whofe fwiftnefs Number fails.
So fpake our Sire, and by his count'nacce feem'd
Entring on ftudious thoughts abstruse, which Eve 40
Perceiving where the fat retir'd in fight,

With lowlinefs Majeftic from her feat,

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And Grace that won who faw to wish her flay,
Rofe, and went forth among her Fruits and Flours,
To vifit how they profper'd, bud and bloom,
Her Nurfery; they at her coming fprung
And toucht by her fair tendance gladlier grew.
Yet went the not, as not with fuch difcourfe
Delighted, or not capable her ear

Of what was high: fuch pleasure she referv'd,
Adam relating, the fole Auditress;

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Her Husband the Relater the preferr'd
Before the Angel, and of him to ask
Chofe rather; he, he knew would intermix
Grateful digreffions, and folve high dispute
With conjugal Carcffes, from his Lip

Not Words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now
Such pairs, in Love and mutual Honour joyn'd?
With Goddefs-like demeanour forth fhe went;

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