The angel Michael continues from the flood to relate what shall fucceed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain who that feed of the woman fhall be, which was promised Adam and Eve in the fall; his incarnation, death, refurrection, and afcenfion; the fate of the church till his fecond coming. Adam, greatly fatisfied and recomforted by thefe relations and promifes, defcends the hill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams compofed to quietness of mind and fubmiffion. Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradife, the fiery fword waving behind them, and the cherubim taking their stations to guard the place. PARADISE PARADISE LOS T. BOOK XII. S one who in his journey baits at noon, 10 Tho' bent on speed; fo here th' archangel paus'd Betwixt the world destroy'd and world reftor'd, If Adam ought perhaps might interpofe; Then with tranfition fweet new fpeech refumes. Thus thou haft feen one world begin and end; And man as from a fecond stock proceed. Much thou haft yet to fee; but I perceive Thy mortal fight to fail; objects divine Muft needs impair and weary human fenfe : Henceforth what is to come I will relate, Thou therefore give due audience, and attend. This fecond fource of men, while yet but few, And while the dread of judgment past remains Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity,' With fome regard to what is just and right Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace'; Lab'ring the foil, and reaping plenteous crop, Corn, wine, and oil; and from the herd or flock, Oft facrificing bullock, lamb, or kid, With large wine-offerings pour'd, and facred feast, Shall spend their days in joy unblam'd, and dwell Long time in peace, by families and tribes, Under paternal rule; till one fhall rife R 15 20 of Of proud ambitious heart, who, not content With fair equality, fraternal ftate, 25 Concord and law of nature from the earth, A mighty hunter thence he fhall be ftyl'd 35 45 Marching from Eden tow'ards the weft, fhall find 40 50 55 And And looking down to fee the hubbub ftrange, O execrable fon fo to afpire Above his brethren, to himfelf affuming 60 65 70 75 Himself and his rafh army, where thin air And famifh him of breath, if not of bread? To whom thus Michael. Juftly thou abhorr't 80 That fon, who on the quiet ftate of men Since thy original lapfe, true liberty Is loft, which always with right reafon dwells Twinn'd, and from her hath no dividual being: 85 Reafon in man obfcur'd, or not obey'd, Immediately inordinate defires And upftart paffions catch the government From reafon, and to fervitude reduce Man till then free. Therefore, fince he permits 90 Within himself unworthy powers to reign. Over free reafon, God, in judgment juft, Subjects him from without to violent lords; His outward freedom: tyranny must be, From all the reft, of whom to be invok'd, 95 ICO 105 110 (Canft thou believe?) fhould be fo ftupid grown, While yet the patriarch liv'd who 'fcap'd the flood, As to forfake the living God, and fall To worship their own work in wood and ftone His kindred, and falfe gods, into a land All nations fhall be blefs'd; he trait obeys, 121 125 Ur |