Which I must keep till my appointed day Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou livest He look'd, and saw a spacious plain, whereon 550 555 565 Was heard, of harp and organ; and, who moved 560 570 But on the hither side, a different sort [seat From the high neighbouring hills, which was their 576 590 In gems and wanton dress; to the harp they sung The men, though grave, eyed them; and let their eyes 586 And now of love they treat, till the evening star, 590 Of love and youth not lost, sʊngs, garlands, flowers, And charming sympnonies, attach'd the heart Of Adam, soon inclined to admit delight, The bent of nature; which he thus express'd: True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel bless'd ; Much better seems this vision, and more hope 595 Of peaceful days portends, than those two pass'd; 600 Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse; Here Nature seems fulfill'd in all her ends. To whom thus Michaël: Judge not what is best By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet; Created, as thou art, to nobler end Holy and pure, conformity divine. 605 610 Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant were the tents Of Goddesses so blithe, so smooth, so gay, 615 Yet empty of all good wherein consists Bred only and completed to the taste Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance, To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye: 620 Religious titled them the sons of God, Of these fair atheists; and now swim in joy, 62 Frelong to swim at large; and laugh for which To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft : O pity and shame, that they, who to live well Enter'd so fair, should turn aside to tread 630 Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint! But still I see the tenor of Man's woe Holds on the same, from Woman to begin From Man's effeminate slackness it begins, Said the Angel, who should better hold his place 635 By wisdom, and superior gifts received. But now prepare thee for another scene. He look'd, 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 640 645 Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering stood; A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine, From a fat meadow ground; or fleecy flock, Ewes and their pleating lambs over the plain, Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds fly, 650 655 Lay siege, encamp'd; by battery, scale, and mine, With dart and javelin, stones, and sulphurous fire; In other part the sceptred heralds call To council, in the city-gates; anon Gray-headed men and grave, with warriors mix'd 660 In factious opposition; till at last, Of middle age one rising, eminent In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong, And judgment from above him old and young 665 Had not a cloud descending snatch'd him thence 670 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 turn'd full sad: O! what are these, Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slew His brother; for of whom such massacre 675 Make they, but of their brethren; men of men? 680 But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost? To whom thus Michaël: These are the product Of those ill mated marriages thou saw'st; [selves Where good with bad were match'd, who of themAbhor to join; and, by imprudence mix'd, 686 Produce prodigious births of body or mind. Such were these giants, men of high renown; For in those days might only shall be admired, 690. To overcome in battle, and subdue Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite 695 701 And therefore hated, therefore so beset And utter odious truth, that God would come To judge them with his Saints; him the Most High 706 710 The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar; All now was turn'd to jollity and game, To luxury and riot, feast and dance; 715 Marrying or prostituting, as befel, Rape or adultery, where passing fair Allured them; thence from cups to civil broils. 720 At length a reverend sire among them came, 725 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, For man and beast: when lo, a wonder strange! Came sevens, and pairs: and enter'd in as taught 735 |