And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive For ever shall endure; the like shall sing 325 The last, for of his reign shall be no end. 330 But first a long succession must ensue, And his next son, for wealth and wisdom fam'd, Wand'ring, shall in a glorious temple' inshrine. Such follow him as shall be register'd 335 Part good, part bad, of bad the longer scroll, Whose foul idolatries, and other faults Heap'd to the popular sum, will so incense 340 To that proud city, whose high walls thou saw'st There in captivity he lets them dwell' The space of sev❜nty years, then brings them back, Their lords, whom God dispos'd, the house of God In mean estate live moderate, till grown In wealth and multitude, factious they grow; 346 350 But first among the priests dissension springs, Of squadron'd Angels hear his carol sung, 355 360 365 The pow'r of the most High; he shall ascend The throne hereditary, and bound his reign 370 With earth's wide bounds, his glory with the Heavens. He ceas'd, discerning Adam with such joy Surcharg'd, as had like grief been dew'd in tears, Without the vent of words, which these he breath'd: 375 O PROPHET of glad tidings, finisher Of utmost hope! now clear I understand What oft my steadiest thoughts have search'd in vain; 380 Expect with mortal pain: say where and when 384 Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the victor's heel? Of head or heel: not therefore joins the Son Satan, whose fall from Heav'n, a deadlier bruise, 390 395 But by fulfilling that which thou didst want, Obedience to the law of God, impos'd On penalty of death, and suffering death, The penalty to thy transgression due, And due to theirs which out of thine will grow : 400 So only can high justice rest appaid. The law of God exact he shall fulfil Both by obedience and by love, though love 405 He shall endure by coming in the flesh To save them, not their own, though legal works. 410 For this he shall live hated, be blasphem'd, Seis'd on by force, judg'd, and to death condemn'd As ɛhameful and accurs'd, nail'd to the cross By his own nation, slain for bringing life; But to the cross he nails thy enemies, But soon revives; death over him no power Neglect not, and the benefit embrace By faith not void of works: this God-like act 415 420 425 Annuls thy doom, the death thou should'st have dy'd, Shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength, 430 Than temp'ral death shall bruise the victor's heel, 435 Nor after resurrection shall he stay Longer on earth than certain times to' appear Still follow'd him; to them shall leave in charge 440 For death, like that which the Redeemer dy'd. 445 Of Abraham's faith wherever through the world; 450 Then to the Heav'n of Heav'ns he shall ascend With victory, triumphing through the air Over his foes and thine: There shall surprise Through all his realm, and there confounded leave; His seat at God's right hand, exalted high Above all names in Heav'n; and thence shall come, 456 With glory' and pow'r to judge both quick and dead, To judge th' unfaithful dead, but to reward 461 His faithful, and receive them into bliss, Whether in Heav'n or Earth, for then the Earth Shall all be Paradise, far happier place Than this of Eden, and far happier days. 465 So spake th' Arch-Angel Michaël, then paus'd, As at the world's great period; and our sire 470 |