Man's transgression known, the guardian angels forsake Paradise, and return up to Heaven to approve their vigilance, and are approved, God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors, who descends and gives sentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and re-ascends. Sin and Death sitting till then at the gates of Hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, and the sin by Man there committed, resolve to sit no longer confined in Hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the place of Man. To make the way easier from Hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad highway or bridge over Chaos, according to the track that Satan first made; then preparing for earth they meet him proud of his success returning to Hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against Man; instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed with himself suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise; then deluded with a shew of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death. God foretells the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but for the present commands his angels to make several alterations in the heavens and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily bewails; rejects the condolement of Eve; she persists and at length appeases him; then to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways which he approves not, but conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the Serpent, and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity by repentance and supplication. MEANWHILE the heinous and despiteful act Of Satan done in Paradise, and how Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, Was known in Heav'n; for what can 'scape the eye Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart Omniscient? who in all things wise and just, 5 Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind Of Man, with strength entire, and free-will arm'd, ΙΟ For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd 15 20 25 With pity, violated not their bliss. About the new arriv'd, in multitudes Th' ethereal people ran, to hear and know How all befell: they towards the Throne Supreme With righteous plea, their utmost vigilance, And easily approv'd: when the Most High Assembl❜d angels, and ye Powers return'd On his bad errand; Man should be seduc't 30 35 40 And flatter'd out of all, believing lies Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 45 50 By some immediate stroke; but soon shall find But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee, 55 All judgment whether in Heav'n, or Earth, or Hell. Easy it might be seen that I intend Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee Man's Friend, his Mediator, his design'd 60 And destin'd Man himself to judge Man fall'n.' Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son 65 Resplendent all his Father manifest Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild. 'Father eternal, thine is to decree, Mine, both in Heav'n and Earth to do thy will Supreme, that thou in me thy Son belov'd 70 May'st ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge On Earth these thy transgressors, but thou know'st, Whoever judg'd, the worst on me must light, Before thee; and not repenting, this obtain 75 Justice with mercy, as may illustrate most Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 80 Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd, Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd, Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose Of high collateral glory: him Thrones, and Powers, 85 Accompanied to Heaven gate, from whence Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. Down he descended straight; the speed of gods 90 Time counts not, tho' with swiftest minutes wing'd. To fan the Earth now wak'd, and usher in The evening cool; when he from wrath more cool 95 Brought to their ears, while day declin'd; they heard, 100 The thickest trees, both man and wife; till God 'Where art thou Adam, wont with joy to meet 105 He came; and with him Eve, more loath, though first Love was not in their looks, either to God Or to each other; but apparent guilt, And shame, and perturbation, and despair, Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. Whence Adam falt'ring long, thus answer'd brief. 'My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, 115 But still rejoic't; how is it now become 120 So dreadful to thee? that thou art naked, who To whom thus Adam sore beset repli'd. ‘O Heav'n! in evil strait this day I stand 125 Before my Judge, either to undergo Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, Devolv'd; though should I hold my peace, yet thou 135 This woman whom thou mad'st to be my help, And gav'st me as thy perfet gift, so good, So fit, so acceptable, so divine, That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 140 Her doing seem'd to justify the deed; To whom the sovran Presence thus repli'd. 'Was she thy God, that her thou didst obey Before his voice, or was she made thy guide, Superior, or but equal, that to her 145 Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place Wherein God set thee above her made of thee, 150 She was indeed, and lovely to attract 155 |