Sought loft Elijah, so in each place these Nigh to Bethabara; in Jericho 20 The city' of Palms, AEnon, and Salem old, 25 Their unexpected loss and plaints out breath'd. His words, his wifdom full of grace and truth; 35 For whither is he gone, what accident Hath rapt him from us? will he now retire 40 After appearance, and again prolong Our expectation? God of Ifraël, Send thy Meffiah forth, the time is come; Behold the kings of th' earth how they oppress Thy chofen, to what highth their pow'r unjust 45 They have exalted, and behind them caft All All fear of thee; arise and vindicate 50 Thy glory, free thy people from their yoke. 60 Thus they out of their plaints new hope refume To find whom at the first they found unfought: But to his mother Mary, when she saw Others return'd from baptifm, not her fon, Nor left at Jordan, tidings of him none, Within her breast though calm, her breast tho' pure, Motherly cares and fears got head, and rais'd Some troubled thoughts, which fhe in fighs thus clad. O what avails me now that honor high To have conceiv'd of God, or that falute Hail highly favor'd, among women bleft! While I to forrows am no lefs advanc'd, And fears as eminent, above the lot Of other women, by the birth I bore, 66 70 In fuch a season born when scarce a fhed Could be obtain'd to shelter him or me From the bleak air; a stable was our warmth, A A manger his; yet foon enforc'd to fly 75 Thence into Egypt, till the murd'rous king From Egypt home return'd, in Nazareth Hath been our dwelling many years; his life 80 A fword shall pierce; this is my favor'd lot, Afflicted I may be, it seems, and blest; I will not argue that, nor will repine. 95 But where delays he now? fome great intent 100 My My heart hath been a store-house long of things And fay'ings laid up, portending strange events. Thus Mary pond'ring oft, and oft to mind 105 All his great work to come before him set; His end of being on earth, and mission high: Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone Where all his potentates in council fat; 115 There without fign of boast, or fign of joy, 120 Solicitous and blank he thus began. Princes, Heav'n's ancient Sons, ethereal Thrones, Demonian Spirits now, from th' element Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd Is risen to invade us, who no less Threatens than our expulsion down to Hell; Confenting in full frequence was impower'd, 130 Have found him, view'd him, tafted him, but find Far other labor to be undergone Than when I dealt with Adam first of Men, - Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell, However to this man inferior far, If he be man by mother's fide at least, 135 With more than human gifts from Heav'n adorn'd, And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds. 140 145 Thought none my equal, now be over-match'd. So fpake th' old Serpent doubting, and from all With clamor was affur'd their utmost aid At his command; when from amidst them rose 150 The fenfualleft, and after Asmodai Set woman in his eye, and in his walk, 155 Per |