THE ARGUMENT. Raphael, at the request of Adam, relates how and wherefore this world was first created; that God, after the expelling of Satan and his angels out of heaven, declared his pleasure to create another world, and other creatures to dwell therein; sends his Son with glory and attendance of angels to per form the work of creation in six days; the angels celebrate with hymns the performance thereof, and his re-ascension into heaven. PARADISE LOST. BOOK VII. DESCEND from Heaven, Urania, by that name If rightly thou art call'd, whose voice divine Following, above the Olympian hill I soar, Above the flight of Pegasean wing. The meaning, not the name, I call: for thou Lest from this flying steed unrein'd, (as once Half yet remains unsung; but narrower bound Within the visible diurnal sphere: Standing on earth, not rapt above the pole, Of that vile rout that tore the Thracian bard Say, goddess, what ensued, when Raphaël, To these apostates, lest the like befall Charged not to touch the interdicted tree, If they transgress, and slight that sole command, Of all tastes else to please their appetite, With admiration and deep muse, to hear Of things so high and strange, things to their So unimaginable, as hate in heaven, [thought And war so near the peace of God in bliss, With such confusion: but the evil, soon Driven back, redounded as a flood on those From whom it sprung; impossible to mix With blessedness. Whence Adam soon repeal'd The doubts that in his heart arose: and now Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know What nearer might concern him; how this world Of Heaven and Earth conspicuous first began; When, and whereof created; for what cause; What within Eden, or without, was done Before his memory: as one, whose drought Yet scarce allay'd, still eyes the current stream, Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites, Proceeded thus to ask his heavenly guest: "Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, Far differing from this world, thou hast reveal'd, Divine interpreter! by favour sent Down from the empyrean to forewarn Us timely of what might else have been our loss, But since thou hast vouchsafed Gently for our instruction, to impart Things above earthly thought, which yet concern'd Our knowing, as to highest Wisdom seem'd; |