All would have then gone well, peace would have

crown'd

With length of happy days the race of man;

But I was far deceiv'd; for now I see

Peace to corrupt no less than war to waste.

How comes it thus? Unfold, celestial Guide,

785

And whether here the race of men will end.

To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou saw'st In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they

First seen in acts of prowess eminent

And great exploits, but of true virtue void;

790

Who having spilt much blood, and done much waste,

Subduing nations, and achiev'd thereby

Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey,

Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,

Surfeit, and lust, till wantonness and pride
Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace.
The conquer'd also, and enslav'd by war,

795

Shall with their freedom lost all virtue lose

And fear of God, from whom their piety feign'd

In sharp contest of battle found no aid

800

Against invaders; therefore cool'd in zeal

Thenceforth shall practise how to live secure,

Worldly or dissolute, on what their lords

Shall leave them to enjoy ; for th' earth shall bear
More than enough, that temp'rance may be try'd: 805
So all shall turn degenerate, all deprav'd,

Justice and temp'rance, truth and faith forgot;
One man except, the only son of light
In a dark age, against example good,
Against allurement, custom, and a world

810

Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn,
Or violence, he of their wicked ways

Shall them admonish, and before them set

The paths of righteousness, how much more safe,

And full of peace, denouncing wrath to come

815

On their impenitence; and shall return
Of them derided, but of God observ'd
The one just man alive; by his command

820

Shall build a wondrous ark, as thou beheldst,
To save himself and household from amidst
A world devote to universal wrack.
No sooner he with them of man and beast
Select for life shall in the ark be lodg'd,
And shelter'd round, but all the cataracts
Of Heav'n set open on the earth shall pour
Rain day and night; all fountains of the deep
Broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp
Beyond all bounds, till inundation rise
Above the highest hills: then shall this mount
Of Paradise by might of waves be mov'd
Out of his place, push'd by the horned flood,
With all his verdure spoil'd, and trees adrift,
Down the great river to the opening gulf,
And there take root an island salt and bare,
The haunt of seals, and orcs, and sea-mews clang:

825

830

To teach thee that God attributes to place

836

No sanctity, if none be thither brought

By men who there frequent, or therein dwell.
And now what further shall ensue, behold.

He look'd, and saw the ark hull on the flood, Which now abated; for the clouds were fled,

840

Driv❜n by a keen north wind, that blowing dry
Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd;
And the clear sun on his wide wat❜ry glass
Gaz'd hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew,

845

As after thirst, which made their flowing shrink
From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole
With soft foot tow'ards the deep, who now had stopt
His sluices, as the Heav'n his windows shut.

855

The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground 850
Fast on the top of some high mountain fix'd.
And now the tops of hills as rocks appear;
With clamour thence the rapid currents drive
Tow'ards the retreating sea their furious tide.
Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies,
And after him, the surer messenger,
A dove sent forth once and again to spy
Green tree or ground whereon his foot may light;
The second time returning, in his bill
An olive leaf he brings, pacific sign:

Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark
The ancient sire descends with all his train:
Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout,
Grateful to Heaven, over head beholds
A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow
Conspicuous with three listed colours gay
Betokening peace from God, and cov'nant new.
Whereat the heart of Adam erst so sad
Greatly rejoic'd, and thus his joy broke forth.

O THOU who future things canst represent

As present, heav'nly Instructor, I revive
At this last sight, assur'd that man shall live

860

865

870

With all the creatures, and their seed preserve.
Far less I now lament for one whole world
Of wicked sons destroy'd, than I rejoice
For one man found so perfect and so just,
That God vouchsafes to raise another world
From him, and all his anger to forget.

875

But say, what mean those colour'd streaks in Heav'n Distended as the brow of God appeas'd,

Or serve they as a flow'ry verge to bind

880

The fluid skirts of that same wat❜ry cloud,

Lest it again dissolve, and show'r the earth?

To whom the Arch-Angel. Dext'rously thou aim'st;

So willingly doth God remit his ire,

885

Though late repenting him of man deprav'd,

Griev'd at his heart, when looking down he saw
The whole earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh
Corrupting each their way; yet those remov'd,
Such grace shall one just man find in his sight,
That he relents, not to blot out mankind,
And makes a covenant never to destroy
The earth again by flood, nor let the sea

890

Surpass his bounds, nor rain to drown the world
With man therein or beast; but when he brings

895

Over the earth a cloud, will therein set
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

899

Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new,

Both Heav'n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.

THE END OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK.

BOOK THE TWELFTH.

THE ARGUMENT.

The Angel Michael continues from the flood to relate what shall succeed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain, who that Seed of the Woman shall be, which was promised Adam and Eve in the fall; his incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension; the state of the church till his second coming. Adam greatly satisfied and recomforted by these relations and promises descends the hill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams composed to quietness of mind and submission. Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradise, the fiery sword waving behind them, and the Cherubim taking their station to guard the place.

As one who in his journey bates at noon,
Though bent on speed; so here the Arch-Angel paus'd
Betwixt the world destroy'd and world restor'd,
If Adam ought perhaps might interpose;
Then with transition sweet new speech resumes.
THUS thou hast seen one world begin and end;
And man as from a second stock proceed.
Much thou hast yet to see, but I perceive
Thy mortal sight to fail; objects divine
Must needs impair and weary human sense :
Henceforth what is to come I will relate,
Thou therefore give due audience, and attend.
This second source of men, while yet but few,
And while the dread of judgment past remains
Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity,
With some regard to what is just and right
Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace,

Lab'ring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop,

ΤΟ

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