The second time returning, in his Bill
An Olive leafe he brings, pacific figne : Anon drie ground appeers, and from his Arke The ancient Sire defcends with all his Train; Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, Grateful to Heav'n, over his head beholds A dewie Cloud, and in the Cloud a Bow Confpicuous with three lifted colours gay, Betok'ning peace from God, and Cov'nant new. Whereat the heart of Adam erst so fad Greatly rejoyc'd, and thus his joy broke forth. O thou that future things canft represent As prefent, Heav'nly inftructer, I revive At this last sight, affur'd that Man shall live With all the Creatures, and thir feed preferve. Farr lefs I now lament for one whole World 870 Of wicked Sons destroyd, then I rejoyce
For one Man found fo perfet and so just, That God voutfafes to raise another World From him, and all his anger to forget.
But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn, Diftended as the Brow of God appeas'd, Or ferve they as a flourie verge to binde The fluid fkirts of that fame watrie Cloud, Least it again diffolve and showr the Earth?
Towhom th' Archangel. Dextrously thou aim'ft; So willingly doth God remit his Ire,
Though late repenting him of Man deprav'd, Griev'd at his heart, when looking down he faw The whole Earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh Corrupting each thir way; yet those remoov❜d, Such grace shall one juft Man find in his fight,
That he relents, not to blot out mankind, And makes a Covenant never to destroy
The Earth again by flood, nor let the Sea Surpass his bounds, nor Rain to drown the World With Man therein or Beast; but when he brings Over the Earth a Cloud, will therein fet His triple-colour'd Bow, whereon to look And call to mind his Cov'nant: Day and Night, Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost Shall hold thir courfe, till fire purge all things new, Both Heav'n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.
The End of the Eleventh Book.
S one who in his Journey bates at Noon Tho Bent on Speed fo here th' Archangell
Betwixt the World destroy'd & World reftor'd If Adam aught perhaps might Interpofe
Then with Transition sweet new Speech resumes Thus thou haft feen one World begin and end; And Man as from a second stock proceed. Much thou haft yet to fee, but I perceave Thy mortal fight to faile; objects divine Must needs impaire and wearie human sense: Henceforth what is to com I will relate, Thou therefore give due audience, and attend. This fecond fours of Men, while yet but few, And while the dread of judgement paft remains Fresh in thir mindes, fearing the Deitie, With fome regard to what is just and right Shall lead thir lives, and multiplie apace, Labouring the foile, and reaping plenteous crop, Corn wine and oyle; and from the herd or flock, Oft facrificing Bullock, Lamb, or Kid, With large Wine-offerings pour'd, and sacred Feast Shal spend thir dayes in joy unblam'd, and dwell
Long time in peace by Families and Tribes Under paternal rule; till one shall rise Of proud ambitious heart, who not content With fair equalitie, fraternal state, Will arrogate Dominion undeferv'd Over his brethren, and quite difpoffefs
Concord and law of Nature from the Earth; Hunting (and Men not Beasts shall be his game) With Warr and hoftile fnare fuch as refuse Subjection to his Empire tyrannous : A mightie Hunter thence he shall be styl'd Before the Lord, as in despite of Heav'n, Or from Heav'n claming fecond Sovrantie; And from Rebellion fhall derive his name, Though of Rebellion others he accuse. Hee with a crew, whom like Ambition joyns With him or under him to tyrannize, Marching from Eden towards the West, shall finde The Plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge 41 Boiles out from under ground, the mouth of Hell; Of Brick, and of that stuff they cast to build A Citie & Towre, whofe top may reach to Heav'n; And get themselves a name, least far difperst In foraign Lands thir memorie be loft, Regardless whether good or evil fame. But God who oft defcends to vifit men Unseen, and through thir habitations walks To mark thir doings, them beholding soon, Comes down to see thir Citie, ere the Tower Obftruct Heav'n Towrs, and in derifion fets Upon thir Tongues a various Spirit to rase Quite out thir Native Language, and instead
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