And manifold in fin, deferv'd to fall. For man; ftol'n 20 Entrance unseen. Soon as th' unwelcome news From earth arriv'd at Heaven gate, difpleas'd With pity, violated not their blifs. £5 Th' ethereal people ran, to hear and know How all befel: they towards the Throne su preme Accountable made hafte to make appear With righteous plea their utmost vigilance; 30 Affembled Angels, and ye Pow'rs return'd From unsuccessful charge! be not dismay'd, 35 Nor troubl'd at thefe tidings from the earth, Which your fincereft care could not prevent, Foretold fo lately, what would come to pafs, When first this tempter crofs'd the gulf from Hell. I told you then he should prevail, and speed 40 On his bad errand; Man should be feduc'd, ` Againft his Maker: no decree of mine Or touch with lightest moment of impulfe: 45 His free will, to her own inclining left. In even scale. But fall'n he is, ་ and now What rests, but that the mortal Sentence pafs On his tranfgreffion, death denounc'd that day; the Which he prefumes already vain and void, 50 Because not inflicted, as he fear'd, By fome immediate ftroke: aut foon fhall find Forbearance no acquittance e're day end. Justice shall not return, as bounty, fcorn'd. But whom fend I to judge them? whom, but Vicegerent Son? To thee I have transferr'd All jugdment, whether in Heav'n, or Earth, or Hell, Eafy it may be seen, that I intend 60 Mercy collegue with justice sending thee, 65 Exprefs'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild. Father Eternal! Thine is to decree; Mine both in Heav'n and Earth, to do thy will Whoever judg'd, the worst on me. muft light, Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd, Those two: the third beft abfent is condemn'd; Convict by flight, and rebel to all law; Conviction to the ferpent none belongs. Thus faying, from his radiant feat he Of high collateral glory: Him Thrones, and Princedoms, and Dominations miniftrant, 90 Time counds not, tho' with swifteft minutesst wing'd, Now was the Sun in western cadence low From noon; and gentle airs, due at their hour, To fan the earth now wak'd, and usher in The ev❜ning cool; when he, from wrath more Came, the mild Judge, and Interceffor both, To fentence man: the voice of God they heard, Now walking in the garden, by foft winds Brought to their ears while day declin'd: they heard, And from his prefence hid themselves, among 100 The thickest trees, both man and wife: till God Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud. Where art thou Adam, wont with joy to meet My coming feen far off? I miss thee here, Or come I lefs confpicious? Or what change Absents thee? Or what change detains? Come forth : He came, and with him Eve, more loth, tho' firft Love was not in their looks, either to God brief: My voice thou oft haft heard, and haft not fear'd, But ftill rejoic'd: how is it now become So dreadful to thee? 120 That thou art naked, who Had told thee? Haft thou eaten of the tree, Whereof I gave thee charge, thou should not eat? ! To whom thus Adam fore befet reply'd, O Heav'n! in evil ftrait this day I stand 125 Myself the total crime, or to accuse Subdues me, and calamitous constraint! |