THE Son of God presents to his Father the prayers o our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them: God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in paradise; sends Michael with a band of cherubim to dispossess them; but first to reveal to Adam future things: Michael's coming down. Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to meet him: the angel denounces their departure. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: the angel leads him up to a high hill; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the flood. THUS they in lowliest plight repentant stood Praying, for from the mercy-seat above Prevenient grace descending had remov'd The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breath'd 5 Unutterable, which the spirit of prayer Inspir'd, and wing'd for heav'n with speedier flight Than loudest oratory: yet their port Not of mean suitors, nor important less Seem'd their petition, than when th' ancient pair 10 In fables old, less ancient yet than these, 11 In fables old] Fables told this. Bentl. MS. Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine 15 Before the Father's throne: them the glad Son 20 Presenting thus to intercede began. See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung From thy implanted grace in man, these sighs And prayers, which, in this golden censer mix'd With incense, I thy priest before thee bring, Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed Sown with contrition in his heart, than those Which his own hand manuring all the trees Of paradise could have produc'd, ere fall'n From innocence. Now therefore bend thine ear To supplication, hear his sighs though mute; Unskilful with what words to pray, let me Interpret for him, me his advocate 25 30 And propitiation; all his works on me Shall perfect, and for these my death shall pay. 15 envious] Ov. Met. x. 642. 'Detulit aura preces ad me non invida blandas.' 35 Number'd, though sad, till death his doom, (which I To better life shall yield him, where with me To whom the Father, without cloud, serene. Try'd in sharp tribulation, and refin’d By faith and faithful works, to second life, Wak'd in the renovation of the just, Resigns him up with heav'n and earth renew'd. But let us call to synod all the blest 41 45 50 50 55 60 65 Thro' heav'n's wide bounds; from them I will not hide My judgments, how with mankind I proceed, When God descended, and perhaps once more By the waters of life, where ere they sat And took their seats; till from his throne supreme He sorrows now, repents, and prays contrite, And live for ever, dream at least to live For ever, to remove him I decree, And send him from the garden forth to till The ground whence he was taken, fitter soil. 95 Michael, this my behest have thou in charge; 72. 105 drive out] See Adamus Exsul of Grotii, p. Legi Ministros, ite! et horto pellite Miseri relinquant! alia telluris sola Glebasque quærant, et parentem exerceant !' 100 105 110 115 peace: 111 excess] Eve's intemperance. Spens. ii. 12. Bentl. MS. 118 And on the east] See Adamus Exsul of Grotius, p. 72. Vos state in aditu nemoris, ortivam ad plagam, Et impedite flammeo versatilis Mucrone teli, ne quis infigat pedem!' |