BOOK V.

corporeal to incorporeal turn.

know, whatever was created needs e sustain'd and fed; of elements

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grosser feeds the purer; earth the sea; and the sea feed air; the air those fires real; and as lowest first the moon ; nce in her visage round those spots, unpurg'd urs not yet into her substance turn'd. doth the moon no nourishment exhale ■her moist continent to higher orbs. sun, that light imparts to all, receives ■all his alimental recompence amid exhalations, and at even

425

with the ocean. Though in heav'n the trees fe ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines

nectar; tho' from off the boughs each morn brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground r'd with pearly grain; yet God hath here 430 ed his bounty so with new delights, ay compare with heaven; and to taste < not I shall be nice. So down they sat, to their viands fell; nor seemingly angel, nor in mist, the common gloss

noist] Marino's Sl. of the Innocents, lib. ii. st. xcv. From the cold frost of that moist orbe secure.' Hamlet, act 1. s. 1. the moon is called 'moist star.'

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Todd.

Of theologians, but with keen dispatch
Of real hunger, and concoctive heat

To transubstantiate what redounds, transpires
Through spirits with ease; nor wonder; if by fir
Of sooty coal the empyric alchymist

Can turn, or holds it possible to turn,
Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold

As from the mine. Mean while at table Eve
Minister'd naked, and their flowing cups

44

With pleasant liquors crown'd. O innocence 443
Deserving paradise! if ever, then,

Then had the sons of GoD excuse to have been
Enamour'd at that sight; but in those hearts
Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousy
Was understood, the injur'd lover's hell.
Thus when with meats and drinks they had

470

whom the winged Hierarch reply'd. lam, one Almighty is, from whom ings proceed, and up to him return, deprav'd from good, created all to perfection, one first matter all, d with various forms, various degrees bstance, and, in things that live, of life: more refin'd, more spirituous, and pure, 475 arer to him plac'd, or nearer tending, in their several active spheres assign'd, ody up to spirit work, in bounds

tion'd to each kind. So from the root -s lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves

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BOOK V.

520

o whom the angel. Son of heav'n and earth end: that thou art happy, owe to GOD; t thou continu'st such, owe to thy self, t is, to thy obedience; therein stand. =was that caution giv'n thee; be advis'd. made thee perfect, not immutable; good he made thee, but to persevere left it in thy power, ordain'd thy will nature free, not over-rul'd by fate tricable, or strict necessity: voluntary service he requires, our necessitated, such with him

Is no acceptance, nor can find; for how

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hearts, not free, be try'd whether they serve ing or no, who will but what they must destiny, and can no other choose? self and all th' angelic host, that stand ght of God enthron'd, our happy state

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, as you yours, while our obedience holds; other surety none; freely we serve, use we freely love, as in our will Ove or not; in this we stand or fall. some are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n, so from heaven to deepest hell: O fall n what high state of bliss into what woe! o whom our great progenitor. Thy words ntive, and with more delighted ear,

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me instructor, I have heard, than when -ubic songs by night from neighbouring hills al music send: nor knew I not