This uncouth dream, of evil sprung I fear; Speak ye who best can tell, ye sons of light, Yet evil whence? In thee can harbour none, Angels; for ye behold him, and with songs Created pure. But know that in the soul

And choral symphonies, day without night, Are many lesser faculties, that serve

Circle his throne, rejoicing; ye in Heaven, Reason as chief: among these fancy next

On earth join all ye creatures to extol Her office holds; of all external things

Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. Which the five watchful senses represent,

Fairest of stars, last in the train of night, She forms imaginations, airy shapes,

If better thou belong not to the dawn, Which reason joining or disjoining, frames

Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn All that we affirm or what deny, and call

With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere, Our knowledge or opinion; then retires

While day arises, that sweet hour of prime. Into her private cell when Nature rests.

Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul, Oft in her absence mimic fancy wakes

Acknowledge him thy greater, sound his praise To imitate her; but misjoining shapes,

In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st, Wild works produces oft, and most in dreams, And when high noon hast gain'd, and when thou Il matching words and deeds long past or late.

fall'st. Some such resemblances, methinks, I find

Moon, that now meet'st the orient sun, now fly'st, Of our last evening's talk, in this thy dream, With the fix'd stars, fix'd in their orb that flies, But with addition strange; yet be not sad.

And ye five other wand’ring fires that move Evil into the mind of God or man

In mystic dance, not without song, resound May come and go, so unapprov'd, and leave

His praise, who out of darkness call'd up light. No spot or blame behind: which gives me hope Air, and ye elements, the eldest birth That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream, Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion run Waking thou never wilt consent to do.

Perpetual circle, multiform, and mix Be not dishearten'd then, nor cloud those looks, And nourish all things; let your ceaseless change That wont to be more cheerful and serene,

Vary to our great Maker still new praise. Than when fair morning first smiles on the world; Ye mists and exhalations that now rise And let us to our fresh employments rise

From hill or steaming lake, dusky or grey, Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold, That open now their choicest bosom'd smells, In honour to the world's great Author rise, Reserv'd from night, and kept for thee in store. Whether to deck with clouds th' uncolour'd sky,

So cheer'd he his fair spouse, and she was cheerid, Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers, But silently a gentle tear let fall

Rising or falling, still advance his praise. From either eye, and wip'd them with her hair; His praise, ye winds, that from four quarters blow, Two other precious drops that ready stood,

Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye pines, Each in their chrystal sluice, he, ere they fell, With every plant, in sign of worship wave. kisid, as the gracious signs of sweet remorse Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow, And pious awe, that fear'd to have offended. Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise. So all was clear'd, and to the field they haste. Join voices, all ye living souls: ye birds, But first, from under shady arb'rous roof,

That, singing, up to Heaven gate ascend, Soon as they forth were come to open sight Bear on your wings, and in your notes his praise. Of day-spring, and the sun, who scarce up risen, Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk With wheels yet hovering o'er the ocean brim, The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep; Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray,

Witness if I be silent, morn, or even, Discovering in wide landskip all the east

To hill or valley, fountain or fresh shade, Of Paradise, and Eden's happy plains,

Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise. Lowly they bow'd, adoring, and began

Hail! universal Lord, be bounteous still Their orisons, each morning duly paid

To give us only good; and the night In various stile; for neither various stile

Have gather'd aught of evil, or conceal'd,
For boly rapture wanted they to praise

Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark.
Their Maker, in fit strains pronounc'd or sung
Uameditated, such prompt eloquence
Flow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse,

THE ANGEL RAPHAEL SENT TO WARN Hore tuneable than needed lute or harp

ADAM OF HIS DANGER.
1 To add more sweetness; and they thus began. So spake th' eternal Father, and fulfill'd

These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good, All justice: nor delay'd the winged Saint
Almighty; thine this universal frame,

After his charge receiv’d; but from among
Thus wondrous fair; thyself how wondrous then! Thousand celestial Ardors, where he stood
Cnspeakable, who sit'st above these Heavens Veil'd with his gorgeous wings, up springing light,
To us invisible, or dimly seen

Flew thro’ the midst of Heav'n; th'angelie choirs, In these thy lowest works; yet these declare On each hand parting, to his speed gave way Tay goodness beyond thought, and pow'r divine. Through all th' empyreal road; till at the gate

Of Heav'n artiv'd, the gate self-open'd wide, Our heav'nly stranger: well we may afford
On golden hinges turning, as by work

Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow
Divine, the Sovereign architect had fram'd. From large bestow'd, where Nature multiplies
From hence no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight, Her fertile growth, and by disburd’ning grows
Star interpos’d, however small he sees,

More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare. Not unconform to other shining globes,

To whom thus Eve. Adam, earth's hallow'd Earth, and the gard'n of God, with cedars crown'd

mould, Above all hills. As when by night the glass

Of God inspir’d, small store will serve, where store, Of Galileo, less assur'd, observes

All seasons, ripe for use, hangs on the stalk; Imagin'd lands and regions in the moon ;

Save what by frugal storing firmness gains Or pilot, from amidst the Cyclades,

To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes: Delos or Samos, first appearing, keus,

But I will haste, and from each bough and brake, A cloudy spot. Down thither prone in flight

Each plant and juiciest gourd, will pluck such choice He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky

To entertain our Angel guest, as he Sails between worlds and worlds, with steady wing.

Beholding shall confess, that here on earth Now on the polar winds, then with quick fan

God hath dispens'd his bounties as in Heaven.
Wipnows the buxom air; till within soar

So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste
Of tow'ring eagles, to all the fowls he seems She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent,
A phenix, gaz'd by all, as that sole bird,

What choice to choose for delicacy best,
When to inshrine his reliques in the sun's

What order, so contriv'd as not to mix Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies.

Tastes, not well join'd, inelegant, but bring At once on th' eastern cliff of Paradise

Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change ; He lights, and to his proper shape returns

Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk A Seraph wing’d; six wings he wore, to shade

Whatever Earth, all-bearing mother, yields His lineaments divine; the pair that clad

In India East or West, or middle shore Each shoulder broad, came mantling o'er his breast

In Pontus or the Punic coast, or where With regal ornament; the middle pair

Alcinous reign’d, fruit of all kinds, in coat Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round Rough or smooth rind, or bearded husk, or shell, Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold She gathers, tribute large, and on the board And colours dipt in Heav'n; the third his feet Heaps with unsparing hand; for drink the grape Shadow'd from either heel with feather'd mail, She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths Sky-tinctur'd grain. Like Maia's son he stood, From many a berry, and from sweet kernels pressid And shook his plumes, that heav'nly fragrance fill'd She tempers dulcet creams; nor these to hold The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands Wants her fit vessels pure; then strows the ground Of angels under watch; and to his state

With rose and odours from the shrub unfum'd. And to his message high in honour rise;

Meanwhile our primitive great sire, to meet
For on some message high they guess'd him bound. His god-like guest, walks forth, without more train
Their glittering tents he pass’d, and now is come Accompanied than with his own complete
Into the blissful field, through groves of myrrh,

Perfections; in himself was all his state,
And flow'ring odours, cassia, nard, and balm; More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits
A wilderness of sweets; for Nature here

On princes, when their rich retinue long
Wanton'd as in her prime, and play'd at will Of horses led, and grooms besmear'd with gold,
Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet,

Dazzles the crowd, and sets them all agape. Wild above rule or art; enormous bliss.

Nearer his presence Adam, tho' not aw'd, Him through the spicy forest onward come

Yet with submiss approach and reverence meek, Adam discern'd, as in the door he sat

As to a superior nature, bowing low, Of his cool bow'r, while now the mounted sun Thus said. Native of Heav'n, for other place Shot down direct his fervid rays to warm [needs: None can than Heav'n such glorious shape contain ; Earth's inmost womb, more warmth than Adam Since by descending from the thrones above, And Eve within, due at her hour, prepar'd

Those happy places thou hast deign'd a while For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to please

To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us True appetite, and not disrelish thirst

Two only, who yet by sov'reign gift possess Of nect'rous draughts between, from milky stream, This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower Berry or grape: to whom thus Adam callid:

To rest, and what the garden choicest bears Haste hither Eve, and worth thy sight behold To sit and taste, till this meridian heat Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape Be over, and the sun more cool decline. Comes this way moving; seems another morn Whom thus th' angelic Virtue answer'd mild: Ris'n on mid-noon; some great behest from Heaven Adam, I therefore came; nor art thou such To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe

Created, or such place hast here to dwell, This day to be our guest. But go with speed, As may not oft invite, tho' Spirits of Heaven, And what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour To visit thee; lead on then where thy bower Abundance, fit to honour and receive

O'ershades; for these mid-hours, till ev'ning rise,

I have at will. So to the sylvan lodge

Through Spirits with ease ; nor wonder, if by fire They came, that like Pomona's arbour smil'd Of sooty coal th’ empiric alchemist With flow’rets deck'd and fragrant smells; but Eve Can turn, or holds it possible to turn, Undeck’d, save with herself, more lovely fair

Metals of drossiest ore to perfect gold Than Wood-Nymph, or the fairest Goddess feign'd As from the mine. Mean while at table Eve Of three that in mount Ida naked strove,

Minister'd naked, and their flowing cups Stood to entertain her guest from Heav'n; no veil With pleasant liquors crown'd: O innocence She needed, virtue-proof; no thought infirm Deserving Paradise ! if ever, then, Alter'd her cheek. On whom the Angel hail Then had the sons of God excuse to have been Bestow'd, the holy salutation usd

Enamour'd at that sight; but in those hearts Long after to blest Mary, second Eve.

Love unlibidinous reign’d, nor jealousy
Hail Mother of Mankind, whose fruitful womb Was understood, the injur'd lover's hell.
Shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons
Than with these various fruits the trees of God
Have heap'd this table. Rais'd of grassy turf

RAPHAEL'S ACCOUNT OF THE CREATheir table was, and mossy seats had round,

TION. And on ber ample square from side to side

Let there be light, said God, and forth with light All autumn pil'd, tho' spring and autumn here

Ethereal, first of things, quintessence pure, Danc'd hand in hand. Awhile discourse they hold: Sprung from the deep, and from her native east No fear lest dinner cool; when thus began

To journey through the airy gloom began, Our Author. Heav'nly stranger, please to taste

Spher'd in a radiant cloud; for yet the sun These bounties, which our Nourisher, from whom Was not; she in a cloudy tabernacle All perfect good, unmeasur'd out, descends, Sojourn’d the while; God saw the light was good; To us for food and for delight hath caus'd

And light from darkness by the hemisphere The earth to yield; unsavoury food perhaps Divided: light the day, and darkness night To spiritual natures; only this I know,

He nam'd. Thus was the first day ev'n and morn: That one celestial Father gives to all.

Nor past uncelebrated, nor unsung To whom the Angel. Therefore what he gives By the celestial quires, when orient light (Whose praise be ever sung) to man in part

Exhaling first from darkness, they beheld; Spiritual, may of purest Spirits be found

Birth-day of Heav'n and Earth ; with joy and shout No ingrateful food : and food alike those pure The hollow universal orb they fillid, Intelligential substances require,

And touch'd their golden harps, and hymning prais'd As doth your rational; and both contain

God and his works, Creator, him they sung, Within them every lower faculty

Both when first evening was, and when first morn. Of sense, whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste, Again, said God, let there be firmament Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate,

Amid the waters, and let it divide And corporeal to incorporeal turn.

The waters from the waters: and God made For know, whatever was created, needs

The firmament, expanse of liquid, pure, To be sustain's and fed; of elements

Transparent, elemental air, diffus'd
The
grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea,

In circuit to the uttermost convex
Earth and the sea feed air, the air those fires Of this great round: partition firm and sure,
Ethereal, and as lowest first the moon;

The waters underneath from those above
Whence in her visage round those spots unpurgʻd Dividing : for as Earth, so he the world
Tapours not yet into her substance turn'd.

Built on circumfluous waters calm, in wide Nor doth the moon no nourishments exhale

Christalline ocean, and the loud misrule From her moist continent to higher orbs.

Of Chaos far remov’d, lest fierce extremes The sun, that light imparts to all, receives

Contiguous might distemper the whole frame : irom all bis alimental recompense

And Heav'n he nam'd the firmament: so even E humid exhalations, and at even

And morning chorus sung the second day.
Sups with the ocean. Though in Heav'n the trees The earth was form’d; but in the womb as yet
Of life ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines

Of waters, embryon immature involv’d,
Yield nectar; though from off the boughs each morn Appear'd not: over all the face of Earth
Te brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground Main ocean flow'd, not idle, but with warm
Corer'd with pearly grain: yet God hath here Prolific humour soft’ning all her globe,
l'aried his bounty so with new delights,

Fermented the great mother to conceive,
As may compare with Heaven; and to taste Satiate with genial moisture, when God said,
Think not I shall be nice. So down they sat, Be gather'd now, ye waters under Heav'n,
And to their viands fell; nor seemingly

Into one place, and let dry land appear.
The Angel, nor in mist, the common gloss

Immediately the mountains huge appear Of theologians; but with keen dispatch

Emergent, and their bare broad backs upheave Of real hunger, and concoctive heat

Into the clouds, their tops ascend the sky: To transubstantiate: what redounds, transpires So high as heav'd the tumid hills, so low