Uriel, though Regent of the Sun, and held
The harpeft fighted Spirit of all in Heav'n;
Who to the fraudulent Impeftor foul
In his uprightness answer thus return'd.
Fair Angel, thy defire which tends to know
The works of God, thereby to glorifie
The great Work-Master, leads to no excess
That reaches blame, but rather merits praise
The more it feems excefs, that led thee hither
From thy Empyreal Manfion thus alone,
To witness with thine eyes what fome perhaps 700
Contented with report hear only in Heav'n:
For wonderful indeed are all his works,
Pleasant to know, and worthieft to be all
Had in remembrance always with delight,
But what created mind can comprehend
Their number, or the wisdom infinite
That brought them forth, but hid their caufes deep.
I faw when at his Word the formless Mafs,
This world's material mould, came to a heap:
Confufion heard his voice, and wild uproar
Stood rul'd, stood vaft infinitude confin'd;
Till at his fecond bidding darkness fled,
Light fhon, and order from disorder sprung:
Swift to their feveral Quarters hafted then
The cumbrous Elements, Earth, Flood, Aire, Fire, 715
And the Ethereal quinteffence of Heav'n
Flew upward, fpirited with various forms,
That rowl'd orbicular, and turn'd to Stars
Numberlefs, as thou feeft, and how they move;
Each had his place appointed, each his course, 720
The reft in circuit walls this Universe.
Look downard on that Globe whofe hither fide
With light from hence, tho' but reflected, shines ;
That place is Earth the feat of Man, that light
His day, which elfe as th' other Hemisphere
Night would invade,but there the neighbouring Moon
(So call that oppofite fair Star) her aid
Timely interpofes, and her monthly round
Still ending, ftill renewing, through mid Heav'n ;
With borrow'd light her countenance triform
Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' Earth,
And in her pale dominion checks the night.
That spot to which I point is Paradife,
Adam's abode, thofe loftie fhades his Bowre.
Thy way thou canst not mifs, me mine requires. 735
Thus faid, he turn'd, and Satan bowing low,
As to fuperior Spirits is wont in Heav'n,
Where honour due and reverence none neglects,
Took leave, and toward the coaft of Earth beneath,
Down from th' Ecliptic, fped with hop'd success, 740
Throws his steep flight in many an Aerie wheele,
Nor ftaid, till on Niphates top he lights.
The End of the Third Book.
The ARGUMENT.
Satan now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprize which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many pallions, fear, envy, and despaire; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradife, whofe outward proSpect and Scituation is defcribed, overleaps the bounds, fits in the shape of a Cormorant on the Tree of life, as highest in the Garden to look about him. The Garden defcrib'd; Satan's first fight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and happy ftate, but with refolution to work their fall; overhears their difcourfe, thence gathers that
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