Yet they a beauteous offspring fhall beget: For that fair female troop, thou saw'st, that feem'd Of Goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay, 615, To drefs, aud troll the tongue, and roll the To thofe, that fober race of men, whose lives Religious titled them the fons of God, Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame The world ere long a world of tears must weep! To whom thus Adam of fhort joy bereft. O pity and shame! that they, who to live. 'well, Enter'd fo fair, fhould turn afide to tread 630 From man's effeminate flackness it begins; Said th' Angel, who fhould better hold his place By wisdom and fuperior gifts receiv'd. war; Giants of mighty bone, and bold emprise! Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming fteed: Single or in array of battle rang'd Both horfe and food; nor idly muft'ring One way a hand select from forage drives But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray. 655 Lay, fiege, incamp'd; by batt'ry, fcale, and mine Affaulting others from the wall défend With dart and jav'lin, ftones and fulph'rous fire: On each hand flaughter and gigantic deed. To council in the city gates: anon 660 Grey-headed men and grave, with warriors mix'd, Affemble, and harangues are heard: but foon In factious opposition: till at last Of middle age dne rifing, eminent 665 In wife deport, fpake much of right and wrong, Of justice, of religion, truth and peace, Proceeded, and oppreffion, and sword-law Through all the plain, and refuge none was found. Adam was all in tears, and to his guide Inhumanly to men, and multiply Ten thousand fold the fin of him, who flew His brother: for of whom fuch massacre Make they but of their brethren; men of men? 680 But who was that juft man, whom had not Heav'n Rescued, had in his righteoufsnefs been loft? To whom thus Michael. These are the product Of thofe ill-match'd marriages thou faw'ft; Where good with bad were match'd; who of themselves 685 Abhorr to joint and by imprudence mix'd.. 690 Of triumph, to be ftyl'd great conquerors, 695 The only righteous in a world perverse, 1 700 And And utter odious truth, that God would come To judge them with Sains: him the Most High 705 Rapt in a balmy cloud with winged steeds, High in salvation, and the climes of bliss, Exempt from death; to fhew thee, what re ward Awaits the good; the reft, what punifh ment: 710 Which now direct thine eyes, and foon be hold. He look'd, and law the face of things quite chang'd: 715 The brazen throat of war had ceas'd to roar; broils. to civil At length. a reverend fire among them came, And of their doings great dislike declar'd, 720 And teftify'd against their ways: he oft Frequented their affemblies, wherefo met, Triumphs or festivals, and to them preach'd Converfion and repentance: as to fouls In prifon under judgments imminent: F 725 |