Latest / Sacred Texts Archive / 16 - Paradise Lost - John Milton
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- Book ten, Part two. He looked and saw the face of things quite changed. The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar, and now was turned to jollity and game, to luxury and riot, feast and dance, marrying or prostituting as befell, rape or adultery, where passing fair allured them. Thence from cups to civil broils. At length a reverend sire among them came, and of their doings great dislike, declared and testified against their ways. He oft frequented their assemblies where Soo met triumphs or festivals, and to them preached conversion and repentance, as to souls in prison under judgments imminent but all in vain, which, when he saw, he ceased contending and removed his tents. Far off. Then from the mountain, timber Tall began to build a vessel of huge bulk, measured by cubit length and breadth and height, smeared round with pitch, and in the side a door contrived, and of provisions laid in large for man and beast. When lo, a wonder strange of every beast and bird and insects small came sevens and pears and entered in as taut their order. Last, the sire and his three sons, with their four wives and God made fast the door. Meanwhile, the south wind rose, and with black wings wide hovering, all the clouds together drove from under heaven the hills to their supply vapor and exhalation. Dusk and moist set up a main, and now the thickened sky, like a dark ceiling, stood down, rushed the rain impetuous, and continued till the earth no more was seen. The floating vessel swum up, lifted and secure with beaked prow, rode tilting o'er the waves. All dwellings else flood overwhelmed, and them with all their pomp deep under water, rolled sea, covered sea, sea without shore, and in their palaces where luxury late reigned, sea monsters whelped and stabled of mankind, so numerous late, all left in one small bottom swum embarked. How didst thou grieve? Then adam to behold the end of thy offspring, And so sad depopulation thee another flood of tears and sorrow, a flood thee also drowned and sunk thee as thy sons till gently reared by the angel on thy feet, Thou stood'st at last, though comfortless, as when a father mourns his children, all in view, destroyed at once and scarce to the angel utters. Thus thy plain O visions ill foreseen. Better had I lived ignorant of future, so had borne my part of evil, only each day's lot enough to bear those now that were dispensed the burden of many ages on me, light at once by my foreknowledge, gaining birth, abortive to torment me ere their being, with thought that they must be let. No man seek henceforth to be foretold what shall befall him or his children evil he may be sure which neither his foreknowing can prevent, and he the future evil shall no less in apprehension than in substance, feel grievous to bear. But that care now is past. Man is not whom to warn. Those few escaped famine and anguish will at last consume wandering and watery desert. I had hope, when violence was ceased and war on earth all would have gone well. Then peace would have crown'd with length of happy days the race of man. But I was far deceived. For now I see peace to corrupt no less than war to waste. How comes it thus unfold celestial guide, And whether here the race of man will end to whom Thus, Michael, those whom thou last sawest in triumph and luxurious wealth, are they first seen in acts of prowess, eminent and great exploits, but of true virtue void, Who, having spilt much blood and done much waste, subduing nations, and achieved 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 enslaved by war, shall, with their freedom lost, all virtue lose, and fear of God from whom the piety feigned in sharp contest of battle, found no aid against invaders. Therefore cool'd in zeal. Thenceforth shall practice how to live, secure, worldly, or dissolute, on what the Lord shall leave them to enjoy. For the earth shall bear more than enough that temperance may be tried. So all shall turn degenerate all depraved justice and temperance, truth and faith for God one man except the only son of light. In a dark age against example good, against allurement, custom, and a world 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 on their impenitence, and shall return of them derided, But of God observ'd. The one just man alive by his command, shall build a wondrous arc, as thou beheldest, to save himself and household from amidst a world devote to universal rack. No sooner he, with them of man and beast select for life, shall in the ark be lodged and shelter'd round. But all the cataracts of Heaven 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 moved 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 beare the haunt of seals and orcs, and sea muse clang to teach thee that God attributes to place no sanctity, if none be thither brought by men who there frequent or therein dwell. And now what further shall ensue? Behold he looked and saw the ark hull on the flood, which now abated, for the clouds were fled, driven by a keen north wind that blowing dry wrinkled the face of deluge as decayed, and the clear sun on his wide watery glass glazed hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew as after thirst, which made their flowing shrink from standing lake to tripping ebb that stole with soft foot toward the deep, who now had stopped his sluices as the heaven his windows shut. The ark no more now floats, but seems to ground fast on the top of some high mountain, fixed, and now the tops of hills as rocks appear with clamor thence the rapid currents drive toward the retreating sea, their furious tide forthwith from out the ark, a raven flies 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. O'er his head beholds a dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow conspicuous with three lifted colors, gay betokening peace from God and covenant new whereat. The heart of Adam erst so sad greatly rejoiced, and thus his joy brought forth O Thou, that future things canst rep present as present, Heavenly instructor, I revive at this last sight, assured that man shall live with all the creatures and their seed preserve. Far less I now lament for one whole world of wicked sons destroyed, 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. But say, what mean these colored streaks in heaven distended as the brow of God appeased, or serve they as a flurry verge of bind the florid skirts of that same watery cloud, least it again dissolve and shower the earth to whom the archangel dexterously Thou aimest, So willingly doth God remit his ire, though late repenting him of man depraved, grieved at his heart when looking down he saw the whole earth filled with violence, and all flesh corrupting each their way. Yet those removed 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 surpass his bounds, nor brain to drown the world with man therein or beast. But when he brings over the earth a cloud, will therein set his triple colored bow, wherein to look and call to mind his covenant. Day and night, seed, time and harvest, heat and hoary frost shall hold their course till fire purge all things new, both heaven and earth, wherein the just shall dwell. 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 sours of man, 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, labouring the soil and reaping prolenteous crop, corn, wine and oil, and from the herd or flock oft sacrificing bullock, lamb or kid, with large wine offerings poured and sacred feast, shall spend their days enjoy unblamed, 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 equality fraternal state, will arrogate dominion undeserved over his brethren, and quite dispossesses concord and law of nature from the earth. Hunting and men not beasts, shall be his head game with war and hostile snares such as refuse subjection to his empire, Tyrannus, a mighty hunter. Thence he shall be styled before the Lord as in despite of heaven or from heaven, claiming second sovereignty, and from rebellion shall derive his name. Though of rebellion others he accuse. He with a crew whom like ambition, joins with him or under him to Tyrannize. Marching from Eden toward the west, shall find the plain wherein a black bitumous gurge boils out from underground the mouth of Hell, of brick, and of that stuff they cast to build a city in tower whose top may reach the hen and get themselves a name. Least far dispersed in foreign lands, their memory be lost, regardless whether good or evil fame. But God, who oft descends to visit men unseen, and through their habitations, walks to mark their des them beholding, soon comes down to see their city ere the tower obstruct heaven towers, and in derision, sets upon their tongues a various spirit to raise quite out their native language, and instead to sow a jangling noise of words unknown. Forthwith a hideous gable arises loud among the builders. Each to other calls not understood till horse and all in rage as mocked they storm. Great laughter was in heaven and looking down to see the hubbub strange and hear the din Thus was the building left ridiculous, and the work confusion named whereto. Thus Adam fatherly displeased, Oh, exorable son, so to aspire above his brethren to himself, affirming authority usurped from God not given. He gave us only over beast, fish, foul dominion absolute, that right we hold by his donation. But man over men he made not lord such title to himself, reserving human left from human free. But this usurper his encroachment. Proud stays not on man to God his tower, and tends siege and defiance. Wretched man. What food will he convey up thither to sustain himself and his rash army, where then thin air above the clouds will pine his entrails gross and famish him of breath, if not of bread to whom. Thus, Michael justly thou abhorrest that son, who, on the quiet state of men, such trouble brought, affecting to subdue rational liberty. Yet know withal since thy original lapse true liberty is lost, which always with right reason dwells twined, and from her hath no individual being reason in man obscured or not obeyed. Immediately, in ordinate desires and upstart passions catch the government from reason and to servitude reduce man till then free. Therefore, since he permits within himself unworthy powers to reign over free reason, God in judgment just subjects him from without to violent lords, who, oft as undeservedly enthrall his outward freedom. Tyranny must be, though to the tyrant thereby no excuse. Yet sometimes nations will decline so low from virtue, which is reason, that no wrong but justice, and some fatal curse annext deprives them of their outward liberty, their inward lost. Witness the irreverent son of him who built the Ark, who for the shame done to his father, heard this heavenly curse, servant of servants on his viteous race. Thus will this latter as the former world, still tend from bad to worse, till God, at last, wearied by their iniquities, withdraw his presence from among them, and avert his holy eyes, resolving from thenceforth to leave them to their own polluted ways, and one peculiar nation to select from the rest of whom to be invoked, a nation from one faithful man to spring him on this side. Euphrates, yet residing bred up in idle worship, O that men canst Thou believe should be so stupid grown. While yet the patriarch lived, who scaped the flood, as to forsake the living God and fall to worship their own work in wood and stone for gods. Yet him, God the most High, vouchsafes to call by vision from his father's house his kindred and false gods into a land which he shall show him, and from him will raise a mighty nation, And upon him shawer his benediction, so that in his seed all nations shall be blessed. Her obeys, not knowing to what land, yet firm believes I see him, But thou canst not with what faith. He leaves his gods, his friends, and native soil ur of Chaldea, passing now the ford to Haran. After him, a cumbrious train of herds and flocks and numerous servitude, not wandering poor, but trusting all his wealth with God who called him in a land unknown Canaan. He now attains. I see his tents pitched about Shachem and the neighboring plain of Moreb. There By promise he receives gift to his progeny of all that land from Haymath northward to the desert south. Things by their names I call, though yet unnamed, from Hormone east to the great western Sea, Mount Hermone yonder sea. Each place behold in prospect as I point them on the shore Mount Carmel. Here the double fountain stream Jordan true limit eastward. But his son shall dwell to Sinnear, that long ridge of hills. This ponder that all nations of the earth shall in his seed be blessed. By that seed is meant thy great deliverer, who shall bruise the serpent's head, whereof to thee Anon plainer shall be revealed This patriarch blessed, whom faithful Abraham due time shall call a son, and of his son a grandchild leaves like him in faith, in wisdom and renown. The grandchild, with twelve sons increased, departs from Canaan to a land hereafter called Egypt, divided by the river Nile see where it flows disgorging at seven miles into the sea to sojourn in that land. He comes invited by a younger son in time of Dearth, a son whose worthy deeds raise him to be the second in that realm of Pharaoh. There he dies and leaves his race, growing into a nation, and now grown suspected to a sequent king, who seeks to stop their overgrowth as inmate guests too numerous. Whence of guests, he makes them slaves inhospitably and kills their infant males till by two brethren. Those two brethren call Moses and Aaron, sent from God to claim his people from enthrallment. They return with glory and spoil back to their promised land. But first the lawless tyrant, who denies to know their God or message to regard, must be compelled by signs and judgments dire to blood unshed. The rivers must be turned, frogs, lice, and flies. Must all his palace fill with loathed intrusion, and fill all the land. His cattle must of rot and morin die, botches and blames. Must all his flesh am boss, and all his people thunder mixed with hail, hail, mix'd with fire, must rend the Egyptian sky and wheel on the earth, devouring where it rolls what it devours, not herb or fruit or grain. A darksome cloud of locusts swarming down must eat, and on the ground leave nothing. Green darkness must overshadow all his bounds, palpable darkness, and blot out three days last with one midnight stroke, all the first born of Egypt must lie dead. Thus, with ten wounds, this river dragon, tamed at length, submits to let his sojourners depart, and oft humbles his stubborn heart, but still as ice more hardened after thaw, till in his rage pursuing whom he late dismissed, the sea swallows him with his host, But them lets pass as on dry land between two crystal walls, awed by the rod of Moses, so to stand divided till his rescue gain their shore. Such wondrous power God to his saint shall lend though present to his angel, who shall go before them in a cloud and pillar of fire, to guide them in their journey and remove behind them. While the Obduran king pursues all night, he will pursue, but his approach darkness defends between till morning. Watch. Then through the fiery pillar and the cloud, God looking forth will trouble all his host and craze their jariot wheels. Then by command Moses once more his potent rod extends over the sea, and the sea his rod obeys on their embattled ranks. The waves return and overwhelm their war. The race elects safe towards Canaan from the shore, advance through the wild desert, not the readiest way, least entering on the Canaanite alarmed war terrify them an expert and fear return them back to eat Egypt, choosing rather inglorious life with servitude for life to noble and ignoble is more sweet, untrained in arms, where rashness leads not on this also shall they gain by their delay in the wide wilderness. There they shall found their government and their great Senate. Choose through the twelve tribes to rule by laws ordained God from the Mount of Sinai, whose gray top shall tremble, He descending will himself in thunder lightning and loud trumpets sound ordain them laws part such as appertain to civil justice, part religious rites of sacrifice, informing them by types and shadows of that destined seed to bruise the serpent, by what means he shall achieve mankind's deliverance. But the voice of God to mortal ear is dreadful. They beseech that Moses might report to them his will, and terror cease he grants them their desire instructed that to God is no ab access without mediator, whose high office now Moses in figure bears to introduce one greater of whose day he shall foretell, and all the prophets in their age the times of great Messiah shall sing thus laws and right established. Such delight hath God in man obedient to his will, that he vouchsafes among them to set up his tabernacle, the Holy One with mortal men to dwell by his prescript. A sanctuary is framed of cedar, overlaid with gold, therein an ark, and in this ark his testimony the records of his covenant. Over these a mercy seat of gold, between the wings of two bright Carabim. Before him burn seven lamps, as in a zodiac representing the heavenly fires. Over the tent, a cloud shall rest by day, a fiery gleam by night, save when they journey, and at length they come, conducted by his angel to the land promise to Abraham and his seed. The rest were long to tell how many battles fought, how many kings destroyed and kingdoms won, or how the sun shall in mid heaven stand still an entire day and Knight's due course abjurn Man's voice commanding Sun in Gibeon stand and thou moon in the Vale of Agelan till Israel overcome. So call the third from Abraham, son of Isaac, and from him his whole descent, who shall thus Canaan win. Here Adam interposed O sent from heaven enlightener of my darkness. Gracious things thou hast revealed, those chiefly which concern just Abraham at his seed. Now first I find my eyes true opening, and my heart much eased. Erewhile perplexed with thoughts what would become of me and all mankind? But now I see his day in whom all nations shall be blessed favor unmerited by me, who saw forbidden knowledge by forbidden means. And yet I apprehend not why to those among whom God will deign to dwell on earth, so many and so various laws are given, so many laws argue, so many sin among them. How can God with such reside to whom Thus Michael doubt not, but that sin will reign among them as of thee begot. And therefore was law given them to evince their natural pravity by stirring up sin against law, to fight that. When they see law can discover sin, but not remove save by those shadowy expiations weak the blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude some blood more precious must be paid for man, just for unjust, that in such righteousness to them, by faith imputed, they may find justification toward God and peace of conscience, which the law by ceremonies cannot appease, nor man the moral part perform, and not performing cannot live. So law appears imperfect, and but given with purpose to resign them in full time up to a better covenant discipline from shadowy types of truth, from flesh to spirit, from imposition of strict laws to free acceptance of large grace, from servile fear to filial works of law to works of faith. And therefore shall not Moses, though of God highly beloved being, but the minister of law his people into canaan lead. But Joshua, whom the gentiles Jesus call his name and office bearing, who shall quell the adversaries, separate and bring back through the world's wilderness long wandered man safe to eternal paradise of rest. Meanwhile, they, in their earthly canaan placed long time, shall dwell and prosper. But when sins national interrupt their public peace, provoking God to raise them enemies from whom as oft he saves them penitent by judges first and then under kings, of whom the second both for piety renown'd and pucient deeds. A promise shall receive, irrevocable, that his regal throne for ever shall endure. The like shall sing all prophecy that of the royal stock of David. So I name this king shall rise a sun the woman seed to thee foretold foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust all nations, and to kings foretold of kings the last, for of his reign shall be no end, but first a long succession must ensue, and his next son for wealth and wisdom fam'd the clouded ark of God. Till then intense wandering shall in a glorious temple enshrine, such follow him as shall be register'd part good, part bad of bad. The longer rool, whose foul idolatries and other faults heaped to the popular sum, will so incense God as to leave them and expose their land, their city, his temple, and his holy ark, with all his sacred things, a scorn and prey to that proud city whose high walls thou sawest left in confusion, Babylon. Thence called there in captivity. He lets them dwell the space of seventy years, then brings them back, remembering mercy and his covenant sworn to David, established as the days of Heaven. Returned from Babylon by leave of kings their lords, whom God disposed the house of God, they first re edify, and for a while in mean estate live moderate till grown in wealth and multitude factius, they grow, but first among the priest's dissension springs, men who attend the altar, and should most day ever peace, their strife pollution brings upon the temple itself. At last they seize the scepter and regard not David's sons, then lose it to a stranger that the true anointed King Messiah might be borne barred of his right. Yet at his birth, a star unseen before in heaven proclaims him come and guides the Eastern sages who inquire his place to offer incense, mrh and gold. His place of birth, a solemn angel tells to simple shepherds keeping watch by night. They gladly thither haste, and by a choir of squadroned angels hear his carol sung a virgin is his mother, but his sire the power of the Most High. He shall ascend the throne hereditary, and bound his reign with Earth's wide bounds, his glory with the heavens. He ceased, discerning Adam with such joy surcharged, as had like grief beendued in tears, without the vent of words, which these he breathed. O, Prophet of glad tidings, finisher of utmost hope, Now clear, I understand what oft my steadiest thoughts have searched in vain, Why our great expectation should be called the seed of woman, virgin mother. Hail high in the love of Heaven. Yet from my loins thou shalt proceed and from the womb the son of God most High. So God with man unites needs. Must the serpent now his capital bruise expect with mortal pain. Say where and when their fight, what stroke shall bruise the victor's heal to whom Thus Michael dream not of their fight as of a duel, or the local wounds of head or heal. Not therefore joins the sun manhood to Godhead with more strength to foil thy enemy. Nor so is overcome Satan, whose fall from heaven a deadlier bruise disabled not to give thee thy death wound, which he who comes thy savior shall recure, not by destroying Satan, but his works in thee and in thy seed. Nor can this be but by fulfilling that which thou didst want, obedience to the law of God imposed on penalty of death, and suffering death the penalty of thy transgression. Do and do to theirs which out of thine will grow. So only can high justice rest a paid the law of God exact he shall fulfill both by obedience and by love. Though love alone fulfill the law. Thy punishment he shall endure by coming in the flesh to a reproachful life and cursed death, proclaiming life to all who shall believe in his redemption, and that his obedience imputed becomes theirs by faith his merits to save them, not their own, though legal works. For this he shall live, hated, be blasphemed, seized on by force, judged and to death, condemned, a shameful and a cursed, nailed to the cross by his own nation, slain for bringing life. But to the cross he nails thine enemies, the law that is against thee and the sins of all mankind with him there crucified, never to hurt them more who rightly trust in his satisfaction. So he dies, but soon revives death over him. No power shall long usurp ere. The third dawning light returned the stars of morn, shall see him rise out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light. Thy ransom paid which man from death redeems his death for man as many as offered life neglect not, and the benefit embrace by faith not void of works. This godlike act annuls thy doom, the death thou shouldst have died in sin, forever lost from life. This act shall bruise the head of Satan, crush his strength, defeating sin and death his two main arms, and fix far deeper in his head their stings. When temporal death shall bruise the victor's heel or theirs, whom he redeems a death like sleep, a gentle wafting to immortal life. Nor after resurrection shall he stay longer on earth than certain times to appear to his disciples. Men who in his life still followed him to them, shall leave in charge to teach all nations what of him they learned, and his salvation. Them who shall believe, baptizing in the profluent stream, the sign of washing them from guilt of sin to life pure and in mind prepared, if so befall for death like that which the Redeemer died, all nations they shall teach. For from that day, not only to the sons of abe Abraham's loins, salvation shall be preached, but to the sons of Abraham's faith wherever through the world, so in his seed all nations shall be blessed. Then to the heaven of heavens, he shall ascend with victory, triumphing through the air over his foes, and thine there shall surprise the serpent prince of Air, and drag in chains through all his realm, and there confounded leave, then enter into glory and resume his seat at God's right hand, exalted high above all names in heaven. And thence shall come when this world's dissolution shall be ripe with glory and power to judge both quick and dead, to judge the unfaithful dead, but to reward his faithful and receive them into bliss, whether in heaven or earth. For then and earth shall be paradise, far happier placed than this of Eden, and far happier days. So spake the archangel might then paused as at the world's great period, and our sire replete with joy and wonder Thus replied, O Goodness, infinite goodness, immense, that all this good of evil shall produce, and evil turn to good more wonderful than that which by creation first brought forth light out of darkness. Full of doubt, I stand whether I should repent me now of sin by me done and occasioned, or rejoice much more That much more good therefore shall spring to God, more glory, more good will to men from God, and over wrath grace shall abound. But say, if our deliverer up to heaven must reascend, what shall betide the few his faithful left among the unfaithful herd the enemies of truth? Who then shall guide his people who defend? Will they not deal worse with his followers than with him they dealt? Be sure they will, said the angel. But from heaven he to his own a comforter, shall send the promise of the Father, who shall dwell his spirit within him, And the law of faith, working through love upon their hearts, shall write to guide them in all truth, and also arm with spiritual armor, able to resist Satan's assaults and quench the fiery darts what man can do against them, not afraid though to the death, against such cruelties, with inward consolations recompensed and oft support it, so as shall maze their proudest persecutors. For the Spirit powered first on his apostles, whom he sends to evangelize the nations. Then on all baptized shall them with wondrous gifts, due to speak all tongues and to do all miracles, as did their Lord before them. Thus they win great numbers of each nation to receive with joy the tidings brought from Heaven, at length, their ministry performed, and race well run, their doctrine and their story written. Left they die, But in their room, as they foreworn, wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous wolves, who all the sacred mysteries of heaven to their own vile advantages, shall turn of lucre and ambition, and the truth with superstitions and traditions taint left only in those written records pure though not but by the spirit understood, then shall they seek to avail themselves of names, places, and titles, and with these to join secular power, though feigning still to act by spiritual to themselves, appropriating the spirit of God promised alike and given to all believers. And from that pretense spiritual laws by carnal power shall force on every conscience laws which none shall find left them enrolled. Or what the spirit within shall on the heart and grave. What will they, then but force the spirit of Grace itself and bind his consort liberty? What but unbuild his living temples built by faith to stand their own faith, not another's. For on earth who against faith and conscience can be heard infallible? Yet many will presume. Whence heavy persecution shall rise on all who in the worship persevere of spirit and truth. The rest, far greater apart, will deem in outward rights and specious forms. Religion satisfied truth shall retire, be struck with slanderous darts, and works of faith rarely to be found. So shall the world go on to good, malignant to bad men, benign under her own weight, groaning to the day appear of respiration to the just, and vengeance to the wicked. At return of him so lately promised to thy aid the woman seed obscurely then foretold, now amply aer known, thy Savior and thy Lord last in the clouds from heath, to be revealed in glory of the Father, to dissolve Satan with his perverted world. Then raise from the conflagrant mass, purged and refined, new heavens, new Earth, ages of endless date, founded in righteousness and peace and love, to bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss. He ended, and thus Adam Last replied, how soon hath thy prediction see or blessed measured this transient world the race of time till time stand fixed beyond is all abyss eternity, whose end no eye can reach. Greatly instructed, I shall hence depart greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill of knowledge what this vessel can contain, beyond which was my folly to aspire. Henceforth I learned that to obey is best, and love with fear the only God to walk as in his presence, ever to observe his providence, and on him soul depend merciful over all his works, with good, still overcoming evil, and by small accomplishing great things, by things deemed weak, subverting the worldly strong and worldly wise, by simply meek. That suffering for truth's sake is fortitude to highest victory and to the faithful death. The Gates of life taught this by his example, whom I now acknowledge, my redeemer, ever blest, to whom thus also the Angel last replied this, having learnt thou hast attained the sum of wisdom hope no higher though all the stars thou knewest by name, and all the ethereal powers, all secrets of the deep, all nature's works or works of God in heaven e'er earth or sea, and all the riches of this world enjoinst and all the rule one empire. Only add deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add faith, add virtue, patience, temperance, Add love by name to come called Charity, the soul of all the rest. Then wilt thou not be loath to leave this paradise, but shall possess a paradise within thee happier far. Let us descend now. Therefore, from this top of speculation, for the hour precise exacts our parting. Hence, and see the guards by me encamped on yonder hill, expect their motion, at whose front a flaming sword in signal of remove waves fiercely round. We may no longer stay. Go waken Eve her also I will, gentle dreams have calmed, portending good, and all her spirits composed to meek submission, Thou at season fit Let her with thee partake what thou hast learned, Chiefly, what may concern her faith to know the great deliverance by her to come, for by the Woman's seed on all mankind, that ye may live, which will be many days both in one faith, unanimous, though sad, which cause for evils past, yet much more cheered with meditation on the happy end he ended, and they both descend the hill. Descended Adam to the bower where Yve lay sleeping, ran before, but found her waked, and thus with words not sad she him received. Whence thou returnest, and whither wentest? I know? For God is also in sleep and dreams advise which he hath sent propitious some great good presaging, Since with sorrow and heart's distress wearied, I fell asleep. But now lead on in me is no delay with THEE. To go is to stay here without THEE here, To stay is to go. Hence, unwilling thou to me art all things under heaven, all places Thou, who for my wilful crime art banished. Hence this further consolation. Yet secure I carry hents, though all by me is lost, such favor I unworthy am vouchsafed by me the promised seed shall all restore, So spake our mother. Eve. And Adam heard well pleased, but answered not for now to nigh the archangel stood, and from the other hill to their fixed station, All in bright array, the Carabim descended on the ground, gliding meteorus as evening mist risen from a river o'er the marish glides and gathers ground fast to the laborer's heel homeward, Returning high in front, advanced the brandished sword of God before them blazed fierce as a comet, which, with torrid heat and vapor as the Libyan air a dust, began to parch that temperate climb whereat in either hand, and the hastening angel caught our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate, let them direct and down the cliff as fast to the subjected plain, then disappeared. They, looking back all the eastern side beheld of paradise so late their happy seat waved over by that flaming brand the gate with some dreadful faces, thronged and fiery arms, some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them. Soon the world was all before them. Where to choose their place of rest and providence their guide? They hand in hand with wandering steps, and slow through Eden took their solitary way. End of Book ten, Part two, end of Paradise Lost