Simplicity gives up the Charge: So Hypocrify now for once beguiled URIEL, though he was Regent of the Sun, and esteemed to be the fharpeft fighted Spirit in all Heaven; who to the foul and fraudulent Impoftor, according to the Uprightnefs of his own Heart, thus returned Anfwer: 1-FAIR Angel! thy Defire, which tends to the Knowledge of the Works of GOD, thereby to glo rify the great Work-Mafter, does not lead to any Excefs that deferves Blame, but the more it seems Excéfs, rather merits Praife, that led thee hither from thy heavenly Manfion thus alone, to witness with thine own Eyes, what many perhaps have only heard in Heaven, contented with a Report; for full of Wonder indeed all his Works are, pleafant to know, and always worthiest to be all had in Remembrance with Delight. But what created Mind can comprehend their Number, or the infinite Wisdom that brought them forth, but hid their Causes in a Depth not to be fathomed? I faw when the formlefs Mafs, the material Mold of this World, came to a Heap at his Word; CONFUSION heard his Voice, and wiLD UPROAR stood ruled, and what had been thought vaft in Finitude became confined; after which at his fecond Bidding the Darknefs fled, Light fhone, and Order fprung from Disorder; the Elements hafted fwift to their feveral Quarters; Fire, Water, Earth, and Air, and the pureft Ether flew upward, fpirited with various Forms, which in their Motion became orbicular, and turned to numberlefs Stars, as thou feeft, and how they move; each had its Course and Place appointed, and the rest furround and encompass this Univerfe. Look downward upon that Globe, whofe hither Side fhines from hence, though but with reflected Light; that Place is the Earth, and the Seat of MAN; that Light is his Day, which were it not for that, NIGHT (as fhe does the other Hemifpheres) would cover; but there there the neighbouring Moon (call that oppoûte fair Star fo) timely interpofes her Aid, her monthly Round ftill ending and ftill renewing, through the Midst of Heaven: with borrowed Light the fills her increafing and decreafing Face to enlighten the Earth, and checks the Night in her pale Dominion. That Spot to which I point now is PARADISE, the Abode of ADAM; thofe lofty Shades are his Bower; the Way thither thou canst not mifs, that which requires me lies quite contrary. WHEN he had faid this, he turned; and SATAN bowing low, (as is ufual to fuperior Spirits in Heaven, where none neglects due Honour and Reverence) took, Leave, and toward the Coast of Earth, down from the ECLIPTICK (b), haftened with the Hopes of Succefs, throws himself down in fteep Flight, wheeling fwiftly through the Air; nor did he make the leaft Stop, 'till he lighted upon the Mountain NIPHATES (c).. (b) Ecliptic, of Eclipfe ; Lat. Gr. A Defect of Light. An Aftron. T. A great wide Circle in the Heavens, extending between the two Tropics, cross the Equator; wherein the Sun moves through the twelve Signs of the Zodiac in his yearly Course; and there the Eclipfes do happen. (c) Niphates; Lat. Gr. i. e. Snowy; because it is generally covered with Snow. It is a very high Mountain, Part of Mount Taurus, between Armenia and Mefopotamia, not far from Paradife, and the Source of Euphrates and Tgris. The End of the THIRD BOOK. THE THE FOURTH BOOK OF PARADISE LOST. SA The ARGUMENT. ATAN, now in Profpect of Eden, and nigh the Place he must now attempt the bold Enterprize which he undertook alone, against GOD and Man, falls into many Doubts with himself, and many Paffions, Fear, Envy, and Defpair; but at length confirms himself in Evil, journies on to Paradife, whofe outward Profpect and Situation is defcribed. Satan overleaps the Bounds, fits in the Shape of a Cormorant on the Tree of Life, as the highest in the Garden, to look about him. The Garden defcribed; Satan's first Sight of Adam and Eve; his Wonder at their excellent Form and happy State, but with Refolution to work their Fall; overhears their Dif courfe; from thence gathers that the Tree of Knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under Penalty of Death; and thereon intends to found |