To dispossess him, and thyself to reign? So threaten'd he; but Satan to no threats From my prevailing arm, though Heaven's King Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest Sat Horrour plum'd; nor wanted in his grasp What seem❜d both spear and shield: Now dreadful deeds Might have ensued, nor only Paradise Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, mine; Neither our own, but given: What folly then To boast what arms can do? since thine no more Than Heaven permits, nor mine, though doubled now To trample thee as mire: For proof look up, Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how weak, If thou resist. The Fiend look'd up, and knew 1015. END OF THE FOURTH BOOK. THE ARGUMENT. Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome dream; he likes it not, yet comforts her ; They come forth to their day-labours: Their morning hymn at the door of their bower. God, to render man inexcusable, sends Raphael to admonish him of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand, who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise; his appearance described; his coming discerned by Adam afar off sitting at the door of his bower; he goes out to meet him, brings him to his lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise got together by Eve; their discourse at table: Raphael performs his message, minds Adam of his state and of his enemy; relates, at Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, beginning from his first revolt in Heaven, and the occasion thereof; how he drew his legions after him to the parts of the north, and there incited them to rebel with him, persuades all but only Abdiel a Seraph, who in argument dissuades and opposes him, then forsakes him. |