Resplendent all his Father manifest Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild. 70 May'st ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge On earth these thy transgressors, but thou know'st, 75 Justice with mercy', as may illustrate most Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none 80 Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd, Convict by flight, and rebel to all law : THUS saying, from his radiant seat he rose Of high collateral glory', him Thrones and Powers, Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant Accompanied to Heaven gate, from whence Down he descended straight; the speed of Gods 85 Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. 90 Time counts not, though with swiftest minutes wing'd. Now was the sun in western cadence low From noon, and gentle airs due at their hour To fạn the earth now wak’d, and usher in The evening cool, when he from wrath more cool 95 Brought to their ears, while day declin'd; they heard, The thickest trees, both man and wife, till God 100 105 He came, and with him Eve, more loath, though first To offend, discount'nanc'd both, and discompos'd; Love was not in their looks, either to God Or to each other, but apparent guilt, III And shame, and perturbation, and despair, Whence Adam falt ring long, thus answer'd brief. My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, 116 120 O Heav'n in evil straight this day I stand 125 Before my judge, either to undergo Myself the total crime, or to accuse My other self, the partner of my life; Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, I should conceal, and not expose to blame 130 By my complaint; but strict necessity Lest on my head both sin and punishment, However insupportable, be all Devolv'd; though should I hold my peace, yet thou 136 This Woman, whom thou mad'st to be my help, And gav'st me as thy perfect gift, so good, So fit, so acceptable, so divine, That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 140 And what she did, whatever in itself, Her doing seem'd to justify the deed; She gave me of the tree, and I did eat. To whom the sov'reign Presence thus reply'd. Was she thy God, that her thou didst obey 145 Superior, or but equal, that to her Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place And for thee, whose perfection far excell'd 150 Her's in all real dignity? Adorn'd She was indeed, and lovely to attract 'Thy love, not thy subjection; and her gifts Were such as under government well seem'd, Unseemly to bear rule, which was thy part 155 Say Woman, What is this which thou hast done? 160 WHICH When the Lord God heard, without delay To judgment he proceeded on th' accus'd Serpent though brute, unable to transfer 165 The guilt on him who made him instrument Of mischief, and polluted from the end Of his creation; justly then accurs'd, Concern'd not Man (since he no further knew) 170 Nor alter'd his offence; yet God at last Though in mysterious terms, judg'd as then best: 175 Because thou hast done this, thou art accurs'd 180 Her seed shall bruise thy head, thou bruise his heel. So spake this oracle, then verify'd When Jesus son of Mary, second Eve, Saw Satan fall like lightning down from Heaven, 185 190 Prince of the air; then rising from his grave I charg'd thee, say'ing, thou shalt not eat thereof: So judg'd he man, both judge and saviour sent, 195 199 205 211 |