Cannot appease: nor man the moral part From shadowy types to truth; from flesh to spirit; Acceptance of large grace; from servile fear Through the world's wilderness long-wandered man Meanwhile they, in their earthly Canaan placed, Provoking God to raise them enemies; Part good, part bad; of bad the longer scroll: Left in confusion; Babylon thence called. There in captivity he lets them dwell The space of seventy years; then brings them back, Remembering manAW To whom thus Michael: "Dream not of their ugu As of a duel, or the local wounds Left in confusion; Babylon thence called. There in captivity he lets them dwell The space of seventy years; then brings them back, In mean estate live moderate; till grown A virgin is his mother, but his sire The power of the Most High: he shall ascend The throne hereditary, and bound his reign With earth's wide bounds, his glory with the heavens." He ceased, discerning Adam with such joy Surcharged, as had like grief been dewed in tears, Without the vent of words; which these he breathed: "O prophet of glad tidings, finisher Of utmost hope! now clear I understand What oft my steadiest thoughts have searched in vain ; Why our great Expectation should be called The seed of woman; virgin mother, hail, High in the love of heaven; yet from my loins Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the victor's heel?" |