Not knew by fight) now come, who was to come I as all others to his baptifm came, Which I believ'd was from above; but he Strait knew me, and with loudeft voice proclam'd 275 As much his greater, and was hardly won: 280 Heav'n open'd her eternal doors, from whence He was well pleas'd; by which I knew the time I learn not yet, perhaps I need not know; 285 290 295 And And he still on was led, but with fuch thoughts 300 Full forty days he pass'd, whether on hill 305 Or harbour'd in one cave, is not reveal'd; Nor tasted human food, nor hunger felt Till those days ended, hunger'd then at last The lion and fierce tiger glar'd aloof. But now an aged man in rural weeds, Following, as feem'd, the quest of some stray ewe, 315 In troop or caravan? for fingle none Durst ever, who return'd, and dropt not here His carcass, pin'd with hunger and with drouth. 325 I ask the rather, and the more admire, For For that to me thou seem'ft the man, whom late Of Jordan honor'd so, and call'd thee Son Of God; I faw and heard, for we fometimes 330 Who dwell this wild, constrain'd by want, come forth To town or village nigh (nighest is far) Where ought we hear, and curious are to hear, What happens new; fame alfo finds us out. To whom the Son of God. Who brought me hither, Will bring me hence, no other guide I seek. 336 By miracle he may, reply'd the swain, What other way I fee not, for we here Live on tough roots and stubs, to thirst inur'd More than the camel, and to drink go far, Men to much misery and hardship born; But if thou be the Son of God, command 340 That out of these hard ftones be made thee bread, So fhalt thou fave thyself and us relieve With food, whereof we wretched seldom taste. 345 He ended, and the Son of God reply'd. Think'ft thou fuch force in bread? is it not written (For I discern thee other than thou seem'st) Man lives not by bread only, but each word Wander'd this barren wafte; the fame I now: 350 Why Why doft thou then suggest to me distrust, 355 Whom thus answer'd th' Arch-Fiénd now undif- Yet to that hideous place not so confin'd 360 Large liberty to round this globe of earth, 365 Or range in th' air, nor from the Heav'n of Heav'ns Hath he excluded my refort fometimes. I came among the Sons of God, when he To prove him, and illustrate his high worth; 370 375 380 What What can be then lefs in me than defire To see thee and approach thee, whom I know 385 Thy wisdom, and behold thy Godlike deeds? Men generally think me much a foe To all mankind: why should I? they to me 390 I loft not what I loft, rather by them I gain'd what I have gain'd, and with them dwell Copartner in these regions of the world, If not difpofer; lend them oft my aid, Oft my advice by prefages and figns, 395 And answers, oracles, portents and dreams, To whom our Saviour sternly thus reply'd. From the beginning, and in lies wilt end; 400 405 Who boaft'st release from Hell, and leave to come Into the Heav'n of Heav'ns: thou com'ft indeed, 410 |