560

Thou chance to dash thy foot against a stone.
To whom thus Jefus: Alfo it is written,
Tempt not the Lord thy God; he faid and ftood,
But Satan fmitten with amazement fell

As when Earth's Son Antaus (to compare
Small things with greateft) in Irassa strove
With Jove's Alcides, and oft foil'd still rofe, 565
Receiving from his mother Earth new strength,
Fresh from his fall, and fiercer grapple join'd,
Throttled at length in th' Air, expir'd and fell;
So after many a foil the Tempter proud,
Renewing fresh affaults, amidst his pride
Fell whence he ftood to fee his Victor fall.
And as that Theban Monfter that propos'd

Her riddle, and him, who folv'd it not, devour'd; That once found out and folv'd, for grief and spight Caft her felf headlong from th' Ifmenian steep, $75 So ftrook with dread and anguish fell the Fiend, And to his crew, that fat confulting, brought Joylefs Triumphals of his hop'd fuccefs,

Ruin, and defperation, and dismay,

Who durft so proudly tempt the Son of God. 580 So Satan fell; and ftrait a fiery Globe

Of Angels on full fail of wing flew nigh,

Who on their plumy Vans receiv'd him soft
From his uneafie ftation, and upbore

As on a floating couch through the blithe Air, 585
Then in a flow'ry valley set him down

On a green bank, and set before him fpred

A table of Celeftial Food, Divine,

7

595

Ambrofial fruits, fetcht from the Tree of Life,
And from the fount of Life Ambrofial drink, 590
That foon refresh'd him weary'd, and repair'd
What hunger, if aught hunger had impair'd,
Or thirft, and as he fed, Angelic Quires:
Sung Heav'nly Anthems of his victory
Over temptation, and the Tempter proud.
True Image of the Father whether thron'd
In the bofom of blifs, and light of light
Conceiving, or remote from Heav'n, enshrin'd
In fleshly Tabernacle, and human form,
Wand'ring the Wilderness, whatever place, 600
Habite, or state, or motion, ftill expreffing
The Son of God, with God-like force indu'd
Against th' Attempter of thy Father's Throne,
And Thief of Paradife; him long of old

A

Thou did'ft debel, and down from Heav'n caft 605
With all his Army, now thou haft aveng'd
Supplanted Adam, and by vanquishing
Temptation, hath regain'd loft Paradife;
And fruftrated the conqueft fraudulent:
He never more henceforth will dare fet foot
In Paradife to tempt; his fnares are broke:
For though that feat of earthly blifs be fail'd,
A fairer Paradife is founded now

610

615

For Adam and his chofen Sons, whom thou
A Saviour art come down to re-inftal
Where they shall dwell fecure, when time shall be
Of Tempter and Temptation without fear.

But thou, Infernal Serpent, halt not long

625

Rule in the Clouds; like an Autumnal Star
Or Lightning thou shalt fall from Heav'n trod down
Under his feet: for proof, ere this thou feel'st 621
Thy wound, yet not thy laft and deadliest wound
By this repulfe receiv'd, and hold'ft in Hell
No triumph; in all her Gates Abaddon rues
Thy bold attempt; hereafter learn with aw
To dread the Son of God: he all unarm'd
Shall chase thee with the terror of his voice
From thy Demoniac holds, poffeffion foul,
Thee and thy Legions, yelling they shall fly,
And beg to hide them in a herd of Swine,
Left he command them down into the deep
Bound, and to torment fent before their time.
Hail Son of the most High, heir of both Worlds,
Queller of Satan, on thy glorious work

Now enter, and begin to fave mankind.

Thus they the Son of God our Saviour meck Sung Victor, and from Heav'nly Feaft refresht Brought on his way with joy; he unobserv'd Home to his Mother's house private return'd.

630

635

The EN D.

E

Ariftot. Poet. Cap. 6.

Τραγωδία μίμησις πράξεως αποδαίας, &c, * Tragoedia eft imitatio actionis feria, &c. Per mifericordiam & metum perficiens talium affectuam luftrationem.

LONDON,

Printed in the YEAR 1713.