Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forego, To what thou hast; and, for the air of youth, Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reign A melancholy damp of cold and dry
To weigh thy spirits down, and last consume The balm of life." To whom our ancestor.
"Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong Life much; bent rather how I may be quit Fairest and easiest of this cumbrous charge; Which I must keep till my appointed day Of rendering up, and patiently attend
My dissolution." Michael replied.
Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flowers, And charming symphonies, attached the heart Of Adam, soon inclined to admit delight, The bent of nature; which he thus expressed.
"True opener of mine eyes, prime angel blest, Much better seems this vision, and more hope Of peaceful days portends, than those two past; Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse; Here nature seems fulfilled in all her ends."
To whom thus Michael. "Judge not what is best
By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet;
"Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou Created, as thou art, to nobler end,
Live well; how long or short, permit to Heaven: And now prepare thee for another sight."
He looked, and saw a spacious plain, whereon Were tents of various hue; by some, were herds Of cattle grazing; others, whence the sound Of instruments that made melodious chime Was heard, of harp and organ; and, who moved Their stops and chords, was seen; his volant touch, Instinct through all proportions, low and high, Fled and pursued transverse the resonant fugue. In other part stood one who, at the forge Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass Had melted, (whether found where casual fire Had wasted woods on mountain or in vale, Down to the veins of earth; thence gliding hot To some cave's mouth; or whether wash'd
From under ground;) the liquid ore be drained Into fit moulds prepared; from which he formed First his own tools; then, what might else be wrought
Fusil or graven in metal. After these, But on the hither side, a different sort
Holy and pure, conformity divine.
Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant, were the tents Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race Who slew his brother; studious they appear Of arts that polish life, inventors rare; Unmindful of their Maker, though his spirit Taught them; but they his gifts acknowledged
Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget, For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that seemed Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay, Yet empty of all good wherein consists Woman's domestic honour and chief praise; Bred only and completed to the taste Of lustful appetance, to sing, to dance, To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye: To these that sober race of men, whose lives Religious titled them the sons of God, Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles Of these fair atheists; and now swim in joy, Ere long to swim at large; and laugh, for which The world ere long a world of tears must weep." To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft.
From the high neighbouring hills, which was their "O pity and shame, that they, who to live well
Down to the plain descended: by their guise Just men they seemed, and all their study bent To worship God aright, and know his works Not hid; nor those things last which might pre-
Freedom and peace to men: they on the plain Long had not walked, when from the tents, behold! A bevy of fair women, richly gay In gems and wanton dress; to the harp they sung Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on: The men, though grave, eyed them, and let their
Rove without rein; till in the amorous net Fast caught, they liked; and each his liking chose; And now of love they treat, till the evening star, Love's harbinger, appeared; then, all in heat They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke Hymen, then first to marriage rites invoked: With feast and music all the tents resound. Such happy interview, and fair event
Entered so fair, should turn aside to tread Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint! But still I see the tenor of man's wo Holds on the same, from woman to begin."
"From man's effeminate slackness it begins," Said the angel," who should better hold his place By wisdom, and superior gifts received. But now prepare thee for another scene.
He looked, and saw wide territory spread Before him, towns, and rural works between Cities of men with lofty gates and towers, Concourse in arms, fierce faces threatening war, Giants of mighty bone, and bold emprise; Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed, Single, or in array of battle ranged, Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood; One way a band select from forage drives A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine, From a fat meadow ground; or fleecy flock, Ewes and their bleating lambs, over the plain, Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds fly,
But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray; With cruel tournament the squadrons join; Where cattle pastured late, now scattered lies With carcasses and arms the ensanguined field, Deserted: others to a city strong
Lay siege, encamped; by battery, scale, and mine, Assaulting; others from the wall defend With dart, and javelin, stones and sulphurous fire, On each hand slaughter, and gigantic deeds. In other part the sceptred heralds call To council, in the city gates: anon
Gray headed men and grave, with warriors mix'd, Assemble, and harangues are heard; but soon In factious opposition; till at last Of middle age one rising, eminent
In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong, Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace, And judgment from above: him old and young Exploded, and had seized with violent hands, Had not a cloud descending snatched him thence Unseen amid the throng: so violence Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law, Through all the plain, and refuge none was found. Adam was all in tears, and to his guide Lamenting turned full sad; "O! what are these, Death's ministers, not men? who thus deal death Inhumanly to men and multiply
Ten thousand fold the sin of him who slew His brother; for of whom such massacre Make they, but of their brethren; men of men? But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost?"
To whom thus Michael. "These are the product Of those ill-mated marriages thou sawest; Where good with bad were matched, who of them- selves
Abhor to join; and, by imprudence mixed, Produce prodigious births of body or mind. Such were these giants, men of high renown; For in those days might only shall be admired, And valour and heroic virtue called; To overcome in battle, and subdue Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite Manslaughter, shall be held the highest pitch Of human glory; and for glory done Of triumph, to be styled great conquerors, Patrons of mankind, gods, and sons of gods; Destroyers rightlier called, and plagues of men. Thus fame shall be achieved, renown on earth; And what most merits fame in silence hid.
High in salvation and the climes of bliss, Exempt from death; to show thee what reward Awaits the good, the rest what punishment; Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold." He looked, and saw the face of things quite changed;
The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar; All now was turned to jollity and game, To luxury and riot, feast and dance, Marrying or prostituting, as befell, Rape or adultery, where passing fair Allured them; thence from cups to civil broils. At length a reverend sire among them came, And of their doings great dislike declared, And testified against their ways; he oft Frequented their assemblies, whereso met, Triumphs or festivals; and to them preached Conversion and repentance, as to souls In prison under judgments imminent : But all in vain: which when he saw, he ceased. Contending, and removed his tents far off; Then, from the mountain hewing timber tall, Began to build a vessel of huge bulk, Measured by cubit, length, and breadth, and height,
Smeared round with pitch, and in the side a door Contrived, and of provisions laid in large For man and beast: when lo, a wonder strange! Of every beast, and bird, and insect small, Came sevens, and pairs, and entered in as taught Their order: last the sire and his three sons, With their four wives; and God made fast the door.
Meanwhile the southwind rose, and, with black wings
Wide hovering, all the clouds together drove From under Heaven; the hills to their supply Vapour, and exhalation dusk and moist, Sent up amain; and now the thickened sky Like a dark ceiling stood; down rushed the rain Impetuous, and continued till the earth
No more was seen; the floating vessel swum Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow Rode tilting o'er the waves; all dwellings else Flood overwhelmed, and them with all their pomp Deep under water rolled; sea covered sea, Sea without shore; and in their palaces, Where luxury late reigned, sea monsters whelped And stabled; of mankind, so numerous late, All left, in one small bottom swum embarked.
But he, the seventh from thee, whom thou be- How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold
The only righteous in a world perverse, And therefore hated, therefore so beset With foes, for daring single to be just, And utter odious truth, that God would come To judge them with his saints; him the most High, Rapt in a balmy cloud, with winged steeds Did, as thou saw'st, receive, to walk with God L
The end of all thy offspring, end so sad, Depopulation! thee another flood,
Of tears and sorrow a flood thee also drowned, And sunk thee as thy sons; till, gently reared By the angel, on thy feet thou stood'st at last, Though comfortless; as when a father mourns His children, all in view destroyed at once; And scarce to the angel utteredst thus thy plaint.
"O visions ill foreseen! better had I Lived ignorant of future! so had borne My part of evil only, each day's lot Enough to bear; those now that were dispensed The burden of many ages, on me light At once, by my foreknowledge gaining birth Abortive, to torment me ere their being,
Of them derived, but of God observed The one just man alive; by his command Shall build a wondrous ark, as thou beheld'st, To save himself and household from amidst A world devote to universal wrack.
No sooner he, with them of man and beast Select for life, shall in the ark be lodged,
With thought that they must be. Let no man And sheltered round, but all the cataracts
Subduing nations, and achieved thereby Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey; Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,
Surfeit, and lust; till wantonness and pride Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace. The conquered also, and enslaved by war, Shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose And fear of God; from whom their piety feigned In sharp contest of battle found no aid Against invaders; therefore, cooled in zeal, Thenceforth shall practise how to live secure, Worldly or dissolute, on what their lords Shall leave them to enjoy; for the earth shall bear More than enough, that temperance may be tried: So all shall turn degenerate, all depraved; Justice and temperance, truth and faith forgot; One man except, the only son of light In a dark age, against example good, Against allurement, custom, and a world Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn, Or violence, he of their wicked ways Shall them admonish, and before them set The paths of righteousness, how much more safe, And full of peace; denouncing wrath to come On their impenitence; and shall return
Of Heaven set open on the earth shall pour Rain, day and night; all fountains of the deep, Broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp Beyond all bounds; till inundation rise Above the highest hills: then shall this mount Of Paradise by might of waves be moved Out of his place, pushed by the horned flood, With all his verdure spoiled, and trees adrift, Down the great river to the opening gulf, And there take root, an island salt and bare, The haunt of seals and orcs, and seamews clang: To teach thee that God attributes to place No sanctity, if none be thither brought By men who there frequent or therein dwell. And now, what further shall ensue, behold."
He looked, and saw the ark hull on the flood, Which now abated; for the clouds were fled, Driven by a keen northwind, that, blowing dry, Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decayed; And the clear sun on his wide watery glass Gazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew, As after thirst; which made their flowing shrink From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt His sluices, as the Heaven his windows shut. The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground Fast on the top of some high mountain fixed. And now the tops of hills as rocks appear: With clamour, thence the rapid currents drive Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies, And after him the surer messenger, A dove sent forth once and again to spy Green tree or ground whereon his foot may light; The second time returning, in his bill An olive leaf he brings, pacific sign: Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark The ancient sire descends with all his train; Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, Grateful to heaven, over his head beholds A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow Conspicuous with three listed colours gay, Betokening peace from God, and covenant new. Whereat the heart of Adam, erst so sad, Greatly rejoiced, and thus his joy broke forth.
"O thou, who future things canst represent As present, heavenly instructor! I revive At this last sight, assured that man shall live, With all the creatures, and their seed preserve. Far less I now lament with one whole world Of wicked sons destroyed, than I rejoice
For one man found so perfect and so just, That God vouchsafes to raise another world From him, and all his anger to forget.
This second source of men, while yet but few, And while the dread of judgment past remains Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity,
But say, what mean those coloured streaks in Hea- With some regard to what is just and right
Distended, as the brow of God appeased? Or serve they as a flowery verge, to bind The fluid skirts of that same watery cloud, Lest it again dissolve, and shower the earth?" To whom the archangel. Dexterously thou aim'st;
So willingly doth God remit his ire, Though late repenting, him of man depraved; Grieved at his heart, when looking down he saw The whole earth filled with violence, and all flesh Corrupting each their way; yet, those removed, Such grace shall one just man find in his sight That he relents not to blot out mankind; And makes a covenant never to destroy The earth again by flood; nor let the sea Surpass his bounds; nor rain to drown the world, With man therein or beast; but when he brings Over the earth a cloud, will therein set His triple-coloured bow, whereon to look, And call to mind his covenant: day and night, Seed time and harvest, heat and hoary frost, Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things
Both Heaven and earth, wherein the just shall dwell.
The angel Michael continues, from the flood, to relate what shall succeed; then in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain, who that seed of the woman shall be, which was promised Adam and Eve in the fall; his incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension; the state of the church till his second coming. Adam, greatly satisfied and recomforted by these relations and promises, descends the hill with Michael; awakens Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams composed to quietness of mind and submission. Mi
chael in either hand leads them out of Paradise, the fiery sword waving behind them, and the cherubim taking their stations to guard the place.
As one, who in his journey bates at noon, Though bent on speed; so here the archangel paused
Betwixt the world destroyed and world restored, If Adam aught perhaps might interpose; Then, with transition sweet, new speech resumes. "Thus thou hast seen one world begin and end; And man, as from a second stock proceed. Much thou hast yet to see; but I perceive Thy mortal sight to fail; objects divine Must needs impair and weary human sense; Henceforth what is to come I will relate; Thou therefore give due audience and attend.
Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace; Labouring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop, Corn, wine, and oil; and from the herb or flock, Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid, With large wine offerings poured, and sacred feast, Shall spend their days in joys unblamed; and dwell Long time in peace, by families and tribes, Under paternal rule; till one shall rise Of proud ambitious heart; who not content With fair equality, fraternal state, Will arrogate dominion undeserved Over his brethren, and quite dispossess Concord and law of nature from the earth; Hunting (and men, not beasts, shall be his game) With war and hostile snares such as refuse Subjection to his empire tyrannous: A mighty hunter thence he shall be styled |Before the Lord; as, in despite of Heaven, Or from Heaven claiming second sovereignty; And from rebellion shall derive his name, Though of rebellion others he accuse. He with a crew whom like ambition joins With him or under him to tyrannize, Marching from Eden towards the west, shall find The plain wherein a black bituminous gurge Boils out from under ground, the mouth of hell: Of brick, and of that stuff they cast to build A city and tower, whose top may reach to Heaven, And get themselves a name; lest, far dispersed In foreign lands, their memory be lost; Regardless whether good or evil fame. But God, who oft descends to visit mon Unseen, and through their habitations walks To mark their doings, them beholding soon, Comes down to see their city, ere the tower Obstruct Heaven's towers, and in derision sets Upon their tongues a various spirit, to rase Quite out their native language; and, instead, To sow a jangling noise of words unknown: Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud Among the builders; each to other calls Not understood; till hoarse, and all in rage, As mock'd they storm: great laughter was in Heaven,
And looking down, to see the hubbub strange And hear the din: thus was the building left Ridiculous, and the work confusion named."
Whereto thus Adam, fatherly displeased. "O execrable son! so to aspire Above his brethren, to himself assuming Authority usurped, from God not given: He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl, Dominion absolute; that right we hold By his donation; but man over men He made not lord; such title to himself
Reserving human left from human free. But this usurper his encroachment proud Stays not on man: to God his tower intends Siege and defiance: wretched man! what food Will he convey up thither to sustain Himself and his rash army, where thin air Above the clouds will pine his entrails gross, And famish him of breath, if not of bread?" To whom thus Michael. "Justly thou horr'st
That son, who on the quiet state of men Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue Rational liberty: yet know withal, Since thy original lapse, true liberty
Is lost, which always with right reason dwells Twinned, and from her hath no dividual being: Reason in man obscured, or not obeyed, Immediately inordinate desires
And upstart passions catch the government From reason, and to servitude reduce Man, till then free. Therefore, since he permits Within himself unworthy powers to reign Over free reason, God, in judgment just, Subjects him from without to violent lords; Who oft as undeservedly inthral
His outward freedom: tyranny must be; Though to the tyrant thereby no excuse. Yet sometimes nations will decline so low From virtue, which is reason, that no wrong, But justice, and some fatal curse annexed, Deprives them of their outward liberty,
Their inward lost: witness the irreverent son Of him who built the ark, who, for the shame Done to his father, heard this heavy curse, Servant of servants, on his vicious race. Thus will this latter, as the former world, Still tend from bad to worse, till God at last, Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw His presence from among them, and avert His holy eyes; resolving from thenceforth To leave them to their own polluted ways; And one peculiar nation to select From all the rest, of whom to be invoked, A nation from one faithful man to spring: Him on this side Euphrates yet residing, Bred up in idol-worship; O, that men (Canst thou believe?) should be so stupid grown, While yet the patriarch lived who 'scaped the flood,
As to forsake the living God, and fall
To worship their own work in wood and stone For gods! yet him God the most high vouchsafes To call by vision from his father's house, His kindred, and false gods, into a land
I see him, but thou canst not, with what faith He leaves his gods, his friends, and native soil, Ur of Chaldæa, passing now the ford To Haran; after him a cumbrous train Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude, Not wandering poor, but trusting all his wealth With God, who called him, in a land unknown. Canaan he now attains; I see his tents
Pitched about Sechem, and the neighbouring plain Of Moreh; there by promise he receives Gift to his progeny of all that land,
From Hamath northward to the desert south; (Things by their names I call, though yet un- named;)
From Hermon east to the great western sea; Mount Hermon, yonder sea; each place behold In prospect, as I point them; on the shore Mount Carmel; here the double founted stream Jordan, true limit eastward; but his sons Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of hills. This ponder, that all nations of the earth Shall in his seed be blessed by that seed Is meant thy great deliverer, who shall bruise The serpent's head; whereof to thee anon Plainlier shall be revealed. This patriarch blest Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call, A son, and of his son a grandchild leaves, Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown; The grandchild, with twelve sons increased, de- parts
From Canaan, to a land hereafter called Egypt, divided by the river Nile;
See where it flows, disgorging at seven mouths Into the sea: to sojourn in that land He comes, invited by a younger son
In time of dearth; a son, whose worthy deeds Raise him to be the second in that realm |Of Pharaoh: there he dies, and leaves his race Growing into a nation; and now grown, Suspected to a sequent king, who seeks To stop their overgrowth, as inmate guests Too numerous; whence of guests he makes them slaves
Inhospitably, and kills their infant males:
Till by two brethren (these two brethren called Moses and Aaron) sent from God to claim His people from inthralment, they return With glory and spoil, back to their promised land, But first the lawless tyrant, who denies To know their God, or message to regard, Must be compelled by signs and judgments dire; To blood unshed the rivers must be turned; Frogs, lice, and flies must all his palace fill With loathed intrusion, and fill all the land;
Which he will show him, and from him will raise His cattle must of rot and murrain die;
A mighty nation, and upon him shower His benediction so, that in his seed
All nations shall be blest: he straight obeys, Not knowing to what land, yet firm believes:
Botches and blains must all his flesh emboss, And all his people; thunder mixed with hail, Hail mixed with fire, must rend th' Egyptian sky, And wheel on th' earth, devouring where it rolls:
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