66 555 550 “ Which I must keep till my appointed day “Of rendering up, and patiently attend Michael replied : He look’d, and saw a spacious plain, whereon Of instruments, that made melodious chime, Their stops and chords was seen; his volant touch In other part, stood one who, at the forge Had melted, (whether found where casual fire To some cave's mouth; or whether wash'd by stream 570 From under ground ;) the liquid ore he drain'd Into fit moulds prepar'd; from which he form'd But on the hither side, a different sort 575 From the high neighbouring hills, which was their seat, Down to the plain descended; by their guise Not hid; nor those things last, which might preserve 580 Freedom, and peace to men: they on the plain Long had not walk'd, when, from the tents, behold! Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on: 585 The men, though grave, eyed them; and let their eyes Rove without rein; till, in the amorous net Fast caught, they lik’d; and each his liking chose : Love's harbinger, appear'd; then, all in heat, 590 They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke Hymen, then first to marriage rites invok'd: Such happy interview, and fair event Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flowers, 595 And charming symphonies, attach'd the heart Of Adam, soon inclin'd to admit delight, “ True opener of mine eyes, prime angel blest ! “Much better seems this vision, and more hope 600 “Of peaceful days portends, than those two past : “ Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse; Judge not what is best By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet; 605 “Created, as thou art, to nobler end, • Holy and pure-conformity divine. " Who slew his brother : studious they appear 610 “Of arts that polish life-inventors rare “ Unmindful of their Maker, though his Spirit Taught them; but they his gifts acknowledg'd none. “Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget; “For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that seem'd 615 “Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay, “Yet empty of all good, wherein consists “Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance, "To these that sober race of men, whose lives 66 66 U Ignobly—to the trains and to the smiles “Ere long 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 630 “ Enter'd so fair, should turn aside to tread “ Paths indirect, or in the midway faint ! • From man's effeminate slackness it begins," 635 Said the angel; “who should better hold his place “By wisdom, and superior gifts receiv'd. He look'd, and saw wide territory spread Before him—towns, and rural works between610 Cities of men with lofty gates and towers Concourse in arms—fierce faces threat'ning war- Single, or in array of battle rangd, One way a band select from forage drives Ewes and their bleating lambs, over the plain, 650 Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds fly, But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray: With carcasses and arms the ensanguin'd field, 655 Deserted. Others to a city strong Lay siege, encamp'd—by batt'ry, scale, and mine, On each hand slaughter, and gigantic deeds! 660 In other part the sceptred heralds call To council, in the city-gates: anon a Gray-headed men and grave, with warriors mix’d, In factious opposition ; till at last 665 Of middle age one rising, eminent In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong, Exploded, and had seiz'd with violent hands; Unseen amid the throng: so violence Adam was all in tears, and to his guide 675 Lamenting turn'd full sad : “O, what are these? “ Death's ministers, not men! who thus deal death “ Inhumanly to men, and multiply “ Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slew “ His brother; for of whom such massacre “ Make they, but of their brethren-men of men ? “ But who was that just man, whom had not Heaven “Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost ?" To whom thus Michael : “ These are the product “Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw'st; 685 “Where good with bad were match'd, who of themselves “ Abhor to join; and, by imprudence mix’d, “ And valour and heroic virtue call'd: 690 “ To overcome in battle, and subdue 680 695 a 66 “ Thus fame shall be achiev’d, renown on earth; “ And what most merits fame in silence hid. 700 “ But he-the seventh from thee—whom thou beheld'st “ The only righteous in a world perverse, “ And utter odious truth that God would come 705 “ To judge them with his saints-him the Most High, "Rapt in a balmy cloud with winged steeds, Did, as thou saw'st, receive, to walk with God Exempt from death—to show thee what reward 710 “ Awaits the good, the rest what punishment; “ Which now direct thine eyes, and soon behold.” He look'd, and saw the face of things quite chang'd: The brazen throat of war had ceas'd to roar: All now was turn'd to jollity and game, 715 To luxury and riot, feast and dance Marrying or prostituting, as befel- At length a rev'rend sire among them came, 720 And of their doings great dislike declar'd, And testified against their ways: he oft Conversion and repentance, as to souls 725 In prison, under judgment imminent; But all in vain! Which when he saw, he ceas'd Began to build a vessel of huge bulk, Smear'd round with pitch ; and in the side a door Of every beast, and bird, and insect small, |
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