Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 11

	THE ARGUMENT
	The Son of God presents to his Father the Prayers of 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 toAdam future things: Michaels coming down. Adam shews to Eve certain ominous signs; he discerns Michaels approach, goes out to meet him: the Angel denounces thir departure. Eve’sLamentation. Adam pleads, but submits: The Angel leads him up to a high Hill, sets before him in vision what shall happ’n till the Flood.

	Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood
	Praying, for from the Mercie-seat above
	Prevenient Grace descending had remov’d
	The stonie from thir hearts, & made new flesh
11.5	Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breath’d
	Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer
	Inspir’d, and wing’d for Heav’n with speedier flight
	Then loudest Oratorie: yet thir port
	Not of mean suiters, nor important less
11.10	Seem’d thir Petition, then when th’ ancient Pair
	In Fables old, less ancient yet then these,
	Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha to restore
	The Race of Mankind drownd, before the Shrine
	Of Themis stood devout. To Heav’n thir prayers
11.15	Flew up, nor missd the way, by envious windes
	Blow’n vagabond or frustrate: in they passd
	Dimentionless through Heav’nly dores; then clad
	With incense, where the Golden Altar fum’d,
	By thir great Intercessor, came in sight
11.20	Before the Fathers Throne: Them the glad Son
	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, mixt
11.25	With Incense, I thy Priest before thee bring,
	Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed
	Sow’n with contrition in his heart, then those
	Which his own hand manuring all the Trees
	Of Paradise could have produc’t, ere fall’n	before
11.30	From innocence. Now therefore bend thine eare
	To supplication, heare his sighs though mute;
	Unskilful with what words to pray, let mee
	Interpret for him, mee his Advocate
	And propitiation, all his works on mee
11.35	Good or not good ingraft, my Merit those
	Shall perfet, and for these my Death shall pay.
	Accept me, and in mee from these receave
	The smell of peace toward Mankinde, let him live
	Before thee reconcil’d, at least his days
11.40	Numberd, though sad, till Death, his doom (which I
	To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse)
	To better life shall yeeld him, where with mee
	All my redeemd may dwell in joy and bliss,
	Made one with me as I with thee am one.

11.45	To whom the Father, without Cloud, serene.
	All thy request for Man, accepted Son,
	Obtain, all thy request was my Decree:
	But longer in that Paradise to dwell,
	The Law I gave to Nature him forbids:
11.50	Those pure immortal Elements that know
	No gross, no unharmoneous mixture foule,
	Eject him tainted now, and purge him off
	As a distemper, gross to aire as gross,	disease
	And mortal food, as may dispose him best
11.55	For dissolution wrought by Sin, that first
	Distemperd all things, and of incorrupt	sickened
	Corrupted. I at first with two fair gifts
	Created him endowd, with Happiness
	And Immortalitie: that fondly lost,
11.60	This other serv’d but to eternize woe;
	Till I provided Death; so Death becomes
	His final remedie, and after Life
	Tri’d in sharp tribulation, and refin’d
	By Faith and faithful works, to second Life,
11.65	Wak’t in the renovation of the just,
	Resignes him up with Heav’n and Earth renewd.
	But let us call to Synod all the Blest
	Through Heav’ns wide bounds; from them I will not hide
	My judgments, how with Mankind I proceed,
11.70	As how with peccant Angels late they saw;	sinning — recently
	And in thir state, though firm, stood more confirmd.

	He ended, and the Son gave signal high
	To the bright Minister that watchd, hee blew
	His Trumpet, heard in Oreb since perhaps
11.75	When God descended, and perhaps once more
	To sound at general Doom. Th’ Angelic blast
	Filld all the Regions: from thir blissful Bowrs
	Of Amarantin Shade, Fountain or Spring,
	By the waters of Life, where ere they sate	before
11.80	In fellowships of joy: the Sons of Light
	Hasted, resorting to the Summons high,
	And took thir Seats; till from his Throne supream
	Th’ Almighty thus pronouncd his sovran Will.	sovereign

	O Sons, like one of us Man is become
11.85	To know both Good and Evil, since his taste
	Of that defended Fruit; but let him boast
	His knowledge of Good lost, and Evil got,
	Happier, had suffic’d him to have known
	Good by it self, and Evil not at all.
11.90	He sorrows now, repents, and prayes contrite,
	My motions in him, longer then they move,
	His heart I know, how variable and vain
	Self-left. Least therefore his now bolder hand
	Reach also of the Tree of Life, and eat,
11.95	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 soile.

	Michael, this my behest have thou in charge,
11.100	Take to thee from among the Cherubim	angels
	Thy choice of flaming Warriours, least the Fiend
	Or in behalf of Man, or to invade
	Vacant possession som new trouble raise:
	Hast thee, and from the Paradise of God
11.105	Without remorse drive out the sinful Pair,
	From hallowd ground th’ unholie, and denounce
	To them and to thir Progenie from thence
	Perpetual banishment. Yet least they faint
	At the sad Sentence rigorously urg’d,
11.110	For I behold them softn’d and with tears
	Bewailing thir excess, all terror hide.
	If patiently thy bidding they obey,
	Dismiss them not disconsolate; reveale
	To Adam what shall come in future dayes,
11.115	As I shall thee enlighten, intermix
	My Cov’nant in the womans seed renewd;
	So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace:
	And on the East side of the Garden place,
	Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbes,
11.120	Cherubic watch, and of a Sword the flame	angelic
	Wide waving, all approach farr off to fright,
	And guard all passage to the Tree of Life:
	Least Paradise a receptacle prove
	To Spirits foule, and all my Trees thir prey,
11.125	With whose stol’n Fruit Man once more to delude.

	He ceas’d; and th’ Archangelic Power prepar’d
	For swift descent, with him the Cohort bright
	Of watchful Cherubim; four faces each	angels
	Had, like a double Janus, all thir shape
11.130	Spangl’d with eyes more numerous then those
	Of Argus, and more wakeful then to drouze,
	Charm’d with Arcadian Pipe, the Pastoral Reed
	Of Hermes, or his opiate Rod. Mean while
	To resalute the World with sacred Light
11.135	Leucothea wak’d, and with fresh dews imbalmd
	The Earth, when Adam and first Matron Eve
	Had ended now thir Orisons, and found,	prayers
	Strength added from above, new hope to spring
	Out of despaire, joy, but with fear yet linkt;
11.140	Which thus to Eve his welcome words renewd.

	Eve, easily may Faith admit, that all
	The good which we enjoy, from Heav’n descends;
	But that from us ought should ascend to Heav’n
	So prevalent as to concerne the mind
11.145	Of God high-blest, or to incline his will,
	Hard to belief may seem; yet this will Prayer,
	Or one short sigh of humane breath, up-borne
	Ev’n to the Seat of God. For since I saught
	By Prayer th’ offended Deitie to appease,
11.150	Kneel’d and before him humbl’d all my heart,
	Methought I saw him placable and mild,
	Bending his eare; perswasion in me grew
	That I was heard with favour; peace returnd
	Home to my brest, and to my memorie
11.155	His promise, that thy Seed shall bruise our Foe;
	Which then not minded in dismay, yet now
	Assures me that the bitterness of death
	Is past, and we shall live. Whence Haile to thee,
	Eve rightly call’d, Mother of all Mankind,
11.160	Mother of all things living, since by thee
	Man is to live, and all things live for Man.

	To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek.
	Ill worthie I such title should belong
	To me transgressour, who for thee ordaind
11.165	A help, became thy snare; to mee reproach
	Rather belongs, distrust and all dispraise:
	But infinite in pardon was my Judge,
	That I who first brought Death on all, am grac’t
	The sourse of life; next favourable thou,
11.170	Who highly thus to entitle me voutsaf’st,
	Farr other name deserving. But the Field
	To labour calls us now with sweat impos’d,
	Though after sleepless Night; for see the Morn,
	All unconcern’d with our unrest, begins
11.175	Her rosie progress smiling; let us forth,
	I never from thy side henceforth to stray,
	Wherere our days work lies, though now enjoind
	Laborious, till day droop; while here we dwell,
	What can be toilsom in these pleasant Walkes?
11.180	Here let us live, though in fall’n state, content.

	So spake, so wish’d much-humbl’d Eve, but Fate
	Subscrib’d not; Nature first gave Signs, imprest
	On Bird, Beast, Aire, Aire suddenly eclips’d
	After short blush of Morn; nigh in her sight	nearby
11.185	The Bird of Jove, stoopt from his aerie tour,
	Two Birds of gayest plume before him drove:
	Down from a Hill the Beast that reigns in Woods,
	First hunter then, pursu’d a gentle brace,
	Goodliest of all the Forrest, Hart and Hinde;
11.190	Direct to th’ Eastern Gate was bent thir flight.
	Adam observ’d, and with his Eye the chase
	Pursuing, not unmov’d to Eve thus spake.

	O Eve, some furder change awaits us nigh,	nearby
	Which Heav’n by these mute signs in Nature shews
11.195	Forerunners of his purpose, or to warn
	Us haply too secure of our discharge
	From penaltie, because from death releast
	Some days; how long, and what till then our life,
	Who knows, or more then this, that we are dust,
11.200	And thither must return and be no more.	to there
	Why else this double object in our sight
	Of flight pursu’d in th’ Air and ore the ground
	One way the self-same hour? why in the East
	Darkness ere Dayes mid-course, and Morning light	before
11.205	More orient in yon Western Cloud that draws	eastern
	O’re the blew Firmament a radiant white,
	And slow descends, with somthing heav’nly fraught.

	He err’d not, for by this the heav’nly Bands
	Down from a Skie of Jasper lighted now
11.210	In Paradise, and on a Hill made alt,
	A glorious Apparition, had not doubt
	And carnal fear that day dimm’d Adams eye.
	Not that more glorious, when the Angels met
	Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw
11.215	The field Pavilion’d with his Guardians bright;
	Nor that which on the flaming Mount appeerd
	In Dothan, cover’d with a Camp of Fire,
	Against the Syrian King, who to surprize
	One man, Assassin-like had levied Warr,
11.220	Warr unproclam’d. The Princely Hierarch
	In thir bright stand, there left his Powers to seise
	Possession of the Garden; hee alone,
	To find where Adam shelterd, took his way,
	Not unperceav’d of Adam, who to Eve,
11.225	While the great Visitant approachd, thus spake.

	Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps
	Of us will soon determin, or impose
	New Laws to be observ’d; for I descrie
	From yonder blazing Cloud that veils the Hill
11.230	One of the heav’nly Host, and by his Gate	army
	None of the meanest, some great Potentate
	Or of the Thrones above, such Majestie
	Invests him coming? yet not terrible,
	That I should fear, nor sociably mild,
11.235	As Raphael, that I should much confide,
	But solemn and sublime, whom not to offend,
	With reverence I must meet, and thou retire.
	He ended; and th’ Arch-Angel soon drew nigh,	near
	Not in his shape Celestial, but as Man
11.240	Clad to meet Man; over his lucid Armes
	A militarie Vest of purple flowd
	Livelier then Melibœan, or the graine
	Of Sarra, worn by Kings and Hero’s old
	In time of Truce; Iris had dipt the wooff;
11.245	His starrie Helme unbuckl’d shew’d him prime
	In Manhood where Youth ended; by his side
	As in a glistering Zodiac hung the Sword,
	Satans dire dread, and in his hand the Spear.
	Adam bowd low, hee Kingly from his State
11.250	Inclin’d not, but his coming thus declar’d.

	Adam, Heav’ns high behest no Preface needs:
	Sufficient that thy Prayers are heard, and Death,
	Then due by sentence when thou didst transgress,
	Defeated of his seisure many dayes
11.255	Giv’n thee of Grace, wherein thou may’st repent,
	And one bad act with many deeds well done
	Mayst cover: well may then thy Lord appeas’d
	Redeem thee quite from Deaths rapacious claime;
	But longer in this Paradise to dwell
11.260	Permits not; to remove thee I am come,
	And send thee from the Garden forth to till
	The ground whence thou wast tak’n, fitter Soile.

	He added not, for Adam at the newes
	Heart-strook with chilling gripe of sorrow stood,
11.265	That all his senses bound; Eve, who unseen
	Yet all had heard, with audible lament
	Discover’d soon the place of her retire.	revealed

	O unexpected stroke, worse then of Death!
	Must I thus leave thee Paradise? thus leave
11.270	Thee Native Soile, these happie Walks and Shades,
	Fit haunt of Gods? where I had hope to spend,
	Quiet though sad, the respit of that day
	That must be mortal to us both. O flours,
	That never will in other Climate grow,
11.275	My early visitation, and my last
	At Eev’n, which I bred up with tender hand
	From the first op’ning bud, and gave ye Names,
	Who now shall reare ye to the Sun, or ranke
	Your Tribes, and water from th’ ambrosial Fount?
11.280	Thee lastly nuptial Bowre, by mee adornd
	With what to sight or smell was sweet; from thee
	How shall I part, and whither wander down
	Into a lower World, to this obscure	dark
	And wilde, how shall we breath in other Aire
11.285	Less pure, accustomd to immortal Fruits?

	Whom thus the Angel interrupted milde.
	Lament not Eve, but patiently resigne
	What justly thou hast lost; nor set thy heart,
	Thus over-fond, on that which is not thine;
11.290	Thy going is not lonely, with thee goes
	Thy Husband, him to follow thou art bound;
	Where he abides, think there thy native soile.

	Adam by this from the cold sudden damp
	Recovering, and his scatterd spirits returnd,
11.295	To Michael thus his humble words addressd.

	Celestial, whether among the Thrones, or nam’d
	Of them the Highest, for such of shape may seem
	Prince above Princes, gently hast thou tould
	Thy message, which might else in telling wound,
11.300	And in performing end us; what besides
	Of sorrow and dejection and despair
	Our frailtie can sustain, thy tidings bring,
	Departure from this happy place, our sweet
	Recess, and onely consolation left
11.305	Familiar to our eyes, all places else
	Inhospitable appeer and desolate,
	Nor knowing us nor known: and if by prayer
	Incessant I could hope to change the will
	Of him who all things can, I would not cease
11.310	To wearie him with my assiduous cries:
	But prayer against his absolute Decree
	No more availes then breath against the winde,
	Blown stifling back on him that breaths it forth:
	Therefore to his great bidding I submit.
11.315	This most afflicts me, that departing hence,
	As from his face I shall be hid, deprivd
	His blessed count’nance; here I could frequent,
	With worship, place by place where he voutsaf’d
	Presence Divine, and to my Sons relate;
11.320	On this Mount he appeerd, under this Tree
	Stood visible, among these Pines his voice
	I heard, here with him at this Fountain talk’d:
	So many grateful Altars I would reare
	Of grassie Terfe, and pile up every Stone
11.325	Of lustre from the brook, in memorie,
	Or monument to Ages, and thereon
	Offer sweet smelling Gumms and Fruits and Flours:
	In yonder nether World where shall I seek
	His bright appearances, or foot step-trace?
11.330	For though I fled him angrie, yet recall’d
	To life prolongd and promisd Race, I now
	Gladly behold though but his utmost skirts
	Of glory, and farr off his steps adore.

	To whom thus Michael with regard benigne.
11.335	Adam, thou know’st Heav’n his, and all the Earth.
	Not this Rock onely; his Omnipresence fills
	Land, Sea, and Aire, and every kinde that lives,
	Fomented by his virtual power and warmd:
	All th’ Earth he gave thee to possess and rule,
11.340	No despicable gift; surmise not then
	His presence to these narrow bounds confin’d
	Of Paradise or Eden: this had been
	Perhaps thy Capital Seate, from whence had spred
	All generations, and had hither come	to here
11.345	From all the ends of th’ Earth, to celebrate
	And reverence thee thir great Progenitor.
	But this præeminence thou hast lost, brought down
	To dwell on eeven ground now with thy Sons:
	Yet doubt not but in Vallie and in Plaine
11.350	God is as here, and will be found alike
	Present, and of his presence many a signe
	Still following thee, still compassing thee round
	With goodness and paternal Love, his Face
	Express, and of his steps the track Divine.
11.355	Which that thou mayst beleeve, and be confirmd
	Ere thou from hence depart, know I am sent
	To shew thee what shall come in future dayes
	To thee and to thy Ofspring; good with bad
	Expect to hear, supernal Grace contending
11.360	With sinfulness of Men; thereby to learn
	True patience, and to temper joy with fear
	And pious sorrow, equally enur’d
	By moderation either state to beare,
	Prosperous or adverse: so shalt thou lead
11.365	Safest thy life, and best prepar’d endure
	Thy mortal passage when it comes. Ascend
	This Hill; let Eve (for I have drencht her eyes)
	Here sleep below while thou to foresight wak’st,
	As once thou slepst, while Shee to life was formd.

11.370	To whom thus Adam gratefully repli’d.
	Ascend, I follow thee, safe Guide, the path
	Thou lead’st me, and to the hand of Heav’n submit,
	However chast’ning, to the evil turne
	My obvious breast, arming to overcom
11.375	By suffering, and earne rest from labour won,
	If so I may attain. So both ascend
	In the Visions of God: It was a Hill
	Of Paradise the highest, from whose top
	The Hemisphere of Earth in cleerest Ken
11.380	Stretcht out to amplest reach of prospect lay.
	Not higher that Hill nor wider looking round,
	Whereon for different cause the Tempter set
	Our second Adam in the Wilderness,
	To shew him all Earths Kingdomes and thir Glory.
11.385	His Eye might there command wherever stood
	City of old or modern Fame, the Seat
	Of mightiest Empire, from the destind Walls
	Of Cambalu, seat of Cathaian Can
	And Samarchand by Oxus, Temirs Throne,
11.390	To Paquin of Sinæan Kings, and thence
	To Agra and Lahor of great Mogul
	Down to the golden Chersonese, or where
	The Persian in Ecbatan sate, or since
	In Hispahan, or where the Russian Ksar
11.395	In Mosco, or the Sultan in Bizance,
	Turchestan-born; nor could his eye not ken
	Th’ Empire of Negus to his utmost Port
	Ercoco and the less Maritim Kings
	Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind,
11.400	And Sofala thought Ophir, to the Realme
	Of Congo, and Angola fardest South;
	Or thence from Niger Flood to Atlas Mount
	The Kingdoms of Almansor, Fez and Sus,
	Marocco and Algiers, and Tremisen;
11.405	On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway
	The World: in Spirit perhaps he also saw
	Rich Mexico the seat of Motezume,
	And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat
	Of Atabalipa, and yet unspoil’d
11.410	Guiana, whose great Citie Geryons Sons
	Call El Dorado: but to nobler sights
	Michael from Adams eyes the Filme remov’d
	Which that false Fruit that promis’d clearer sight
	Had bred; then purg’d with Euphrasie and Rue
11.415	The visual Nerve, for he had much to see;
	And from the Well of Life three drops instill’d.
	So deep the power of these Ingredients pierc’d,
	Eevn to the inmost seat of mental sight,
	That Adam now enforc’t to close his eyes,
11.420	Sunk down and all his Spirits became intranst:
	But him the gentle Angel by the hand
	Soon rais’d, and his attention thus recall’d.

	Adam, now ope thine eyes, and first behold
	Th’ effects which thy original crime hath wrought
11.425	In some to spring from thee, who never touch’d
	Th’ excepted Tree, nor with the Snake conspir’d,
	Nor sinn’d thy sin, yet from that sin derive
	Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds.

	His eyes he op’nd, and beheld a field,
11.430	Part arable and tilth, whereon were Sheaves
	New reapt, the other part sheep-walks and foulds;
	Ith’ midst an Altar as the Land-mark stood
	Rustic, of grassie sord; thither anon	patch of land — to there — immediately
	A sweatie Reaper from his Tillage brought
11.435	First Fruits, the green Eare, and the yellow Sheaf,
	Uncull’d, as came to hand; a Shepherd next
	More meek came with the Firstlings of his Flock
	Choicest and best; then sacrificing, laid
	The Inwards and thir Fat, with Incense strew’d,
11.440	On the cleft Wood, and all due Rites perform’d.
	His Offring soon propitious Fire from Heav’n
	Consum’d with nimble glance, and grateful steame;
	The others not, for his was not sincere;
	Whereat hee inlie rag’d, and as they talk’d,
11.445	Smote him into the Midriff with a stone
	That beat out life; he fell, and deadly pale
	Groand out his Soul with gushing bloud effus’d.
	Much at that sight was Adam in his heart
	Dismai’d, and thus in haste to th’ Angel cri’d.

11.450	O Teacher, some great mischief hath befall’n
	To that meek man, who well had sacrific’d;
	Is Pietie thus and pure Devotion paid?

	T’ whom Michael thus, hee also mov’d, repli’d.
	These two are Brethren, Adam, and to come
11.455	Out of thy loyns; th’ unjust the just hath slain,
	For envie that his Brothers Offering found
	From Heav’n acceptance; but the bloodie Fact
	Will be aveng’d, and th’ others Faith approv’d
	Loose no reward, though here thou see him die,
11.460	Rowling in dust and gore. To which our Sire.

	Alas, both for the deed and for the cause!
	But have I now seen Death? Is this the way
	I must return to native dust? O sight
	Of terrour, foul and ugly to behold,
11.465	Horrid to think, how horrible to feel!

	To whom thus Michael. Death thou hast seen
	In his first shape on man; but many shapes
	Of Death, and many are the wayes that lead
	To his grim Cave, all dismal; yet to sense
11.470	More terrible at th’ entrance then within.
	Some, as thou saw’st, by violent stroke shall die,
	By Fire, Flood, Famin, by Intemperance more
	In Meats and Drinks, which on the Earth shall bring
	Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew
11.475	Before thee shall appear; that thou mayst know
	What miserie th’ inabstinence of Eve
	Shall bring on men. Immediately a place
	Before his eyes appeard, sad, noysom, dark,
	A Lazar-house it seemd, wherein were laid
11.480	Numbers of all diseas’d, all maladies
	Of gastly Spasm, or racking torture, qualmes
	Of heart-sick Agonie, all feavorous kinds,
	Convulsions, Epilepsies, fierce Catarrhs,
	Intestin Stone and Ulcer, Colic pangs,
11.485	Dæmoniac Phrenzie, moaping Melancholie
	And Moon-struck madness, pining Atrophie
	Marasmus and wide-wasting Pestilence,
	Dropsies, and Asthma’s, and Joint-racking Rheums.
	Dire was the tossing, deep the groans, despair
11.490	Tended the sick busiest from Couch to Couch;
	And over them triumphant Death his Dart	spear
	Shook, but delaid to strike, though oft invokt
	With vows, as thir chief good, and final hope.
	Sight so deform what heart of Rock could long
11.495	Drie-ey’d behold? Adam could not, but wept,
	Though not of Woman born; compassion quell’d
	His best of Man, and gave him up to tears
	A space, till firmer thoughts restraind excess,
	And scarce recovering words his plaint renew’d.

11.500	O miserable Mankind, to what fall
	Degraded, to what wretched state reserv’d!
	Better end heer unborn. Why is life giv’n
	To be thus wrested from us? rather why
	Obtruded on us thus? who if we knew
11.505	What we receive, would either not accept
	Life offer’d, or soon beg to lay it down,
	Glad to be so dismist in peace. Can thus
	Th’ Image of God in man created once
	So goodly and erect, though faultie since,
11.510	To such unsightly sufferings be debas’t
	Under inhuman pains? Why should not Man,
	Retaining still Divine similitude
	In part, from such deformities be free,
	And for his Makers Image sake exempt?

11.515	Thir Makers Image, answerd Michael, then
	Forsook them, when themselves they villifi’d
	To serve ungovern’d appetite, and took
	His Image whom they serv’d, a brutish vice,
	Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve.
11.520	Therefore so abject is thir punishment,
	Disfiguring not Gods likeness, but thir own,
	Or if his likeness, by themselves defac’t
	While they pervert pure Natures healthful rules
	To loathsom sickness, worthily, since they
11.525	Gods Image did not reverence in themselves.

	I yield it just, said Adam, and submit.
	But is there yet no other way, besides
	These painful passages, how we may come
	To Death, and mix with our connatural dust?

11.530	There is, said Michael, if thou well observe
	The rule of not too much, by temperance taught
	In what thou eatst and drinkst, seeking from thence
	Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight,
	Till many years over thy head return:
11.535	So maist thou live, till like ripe Fruit thou drop
	Into thy Mothers lap, or be with ease
	Gatherd, not harshly pluckt, for death mature:
	This is old age; but then thou must outlive
	Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change
11.540	To witherd weak and gray; thy Senses then
	Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forgoe,
	To what thou hast, and for the Aire of youth
	Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reigne
	A melancholly damp of cold and dry
11.545	To weigh thy spirits down, and last consume
	The Balme of Life. To whom our Ancestor.

	Henceforth I flie not Death, nor would prolong
	Life much, bent rather how I may be quit
	Fairest and easiest of this combrous charge,
11.550	Which I must keep till my appointed day
	Of rendring up, and patiently attend
	My dissolution. Michael repli’d,

	Nor love thy Life, nor hate; but what thou livst
	Live well, how long or short permit to Heav’n:
11.555	And now prepare thee for another sight.

	He lookd and saw a spacious Plaine, whereon
	Were Tents of various hue; by some were herds
	Of Cattel grazing: others, whence the sound
	Of Instruments that made melodious chime
11.560	Was heard, of Harp and Organ; and who moovd
	Thir stops and chords was seen: his volant touch
	Instinct through all proportions low and high
	Fled and pursu’d transverse the resonant fugue.
	In other part stood one who at the Forge
11.565	Labouring, two massie clods of Iron and Brass
	Had melted (whether found where casual fire
	Had wasted woods on Mountain or in Vale,
	Down to the veins of Earth, thence gliding hot
	To som Caves mouth, or whether washt by stream
11.570	From underground) the liquid Ore he dreind
	Into fit moulds prepar’d; from which he formd
	First his own Tooles; then, what might else be wrought
	Fusil or grav’n in mettle. After these,
	But on the hether side a different sort
11.575	From the high neighbouring Hills, which was thir Seat,
	Down to the Plain descended: by thir guise
	Just men they seemd, and all thir study bent
	To worship God aright, and know his works
	Not hid, nor those things last which might preserve
11.580	Freedom and Peace to men: they on the Plain
	Long had not walkt, when from the Tents behold
	A Beavie of fair Women, richly gay
	In Gems and wanton dress; to the Harp they sung
	Soft amorous Ditties, and in dance came on:
11.585	The Men though grave, ey’d them, and let thir eyes
	Rove without rein, till in the amorous Net
	Fast caught, they lik’d, and each his liking chose;
	And now of love they treat till th’Eevning Star
	Loves Harbinger appeerd; then all in heat
11.590	They light the Nuptial Torch, and bid invoke
	Hymen, then first to marriage Rites invok’t;	the god of marriage
	With Feast and Musick all the Tents resound.
	Such happy interview and fair event	outcome
	Of love and youth not lost, Songs, Garlands, Flours,
11.595	And charming Symphonies attach’d the heart
	Of Adam, soon enclin’d to admit delight,
	The bent of Nature; which he thus express’d.

	True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel blest,
	Much better seems this Vision, and more hope
11.600	Of peaceful dayes portends, then those two past;
	Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse,
	Here Nature seems fulfilld in all her ends.

	To whom thus Michael. Judg not what is best
	By pleasure, though to Nature seeming meet,
11.605	Created, as thou art, to nobler end
	Holie and pure, conformitie divine.
	Those Tents thou sawst so pleasant, were the Tents
	Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his Race
	Who slew his Brother; studious they appere
11.610	Of Arts that polish Life, Inventers rare,	techniques
	Unmindful of thir Maker, though his Spirit
	Taught them, but they his gifts acknowledg’d none.
	Yet they a beauteous ofspring shall beget;
	For that fair femal Troop thou sawst, that seemd
11.615	Of Goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay,
	Yet empty of all good wherein consists
	Womans domestic honour and chief praise;
	Bred onely and completed to the taste
	Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance,
11.620	To dress, and troule the Tongue, and roule the Eye.
	To these that sober Race of Men, whose lives
	Religious titl’d them the Sons of God,
	Shall yield up all thir vertue, all thir fame
	Ignobly, to the traines and to the smiles
11.625	Of these fair Atheists, and now swim in joy,
	(Erelong to swim at large) and laugh; for which	before long — freely
	The world erelong a world of tears must weepe.

	To whom thus Adam of short joy bereft.
	O pittie and shame, that they who to live well
11.630	Enterd so faire, should turn aside to tread
	Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint!
	But still I see the tenor of Mans woe
	Holds on the same, from Woman to begin.

	From Mans effeminate slackness it begins,
11.635	Said th’ Angel, who should better hold his place
	By wisdome, and superiour gifts receav’d.
	But now prepare thee for another Scene.

	He lookd and saw wide Territorie spred
	Before him, Towns, and rural works between,
11.640	Cities of Men with lofty Gates and Towrs,
	Concours in Arms, fierce Faces threatning Warr,
	Giants of mightie Bone, and bould emprise;
	Part wield thir Arms, part courb the foaming Steed,
	Single or in Array of Battel rang’d
11.645	Both Horse and Foot, nor idely mustring stood;
	One way a Band select from forage drives
	A herd of Beeves, faire Oxen and faire Kine
	From a fat Meddow ground; or fleecy Flock,
	Ewes and thir bleating Lambs over the Plaine,
11.650	Thir Bootie; scarce with Life the Shepherds flye,
	But call in aide, which makes a bloody Fray;
	With cruel Tournament the Squadrons joine;
	Where Cattle pastur’d late, now scatterd lies
	With Carcasses and Arms th’ensanguind Field
11.655	Deserted: Others to a Citie strong
	Lay Seige, encampt; by Batterie, Scale, and Mine,
	Assaulting; others from the Wall defend
	With Dart and Jav’lin, Stones and sulfurous Fire;	spear
	On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds.
11.660	In other part the scepter’d Haralds call
	To Council in the Citie Gates: anon	soon
	Grey-headed men and grave, with Warriours mixt,
	Assemble, and Harangues are heard, but soon
	In factious opposition, till at last
11.665	Of middle Age one rising, eminent
	In wise deport, spake much of Right and Wrong,
	Of Justice, of Religion, Truth and Peace,
	And Judgment from above: him old and young
	Exploded, and had seiz’d with violent hands,
11.670	Had not a Cloud descending snatch’d him thence
	Unseen amid the throng: so violence
	Proceeded, and Oppression, and Sword-Law
	Through all the Plain, and refuge none was found.
	Adam was all in tears, and to his guide
11.675	Lamenting turnd full sad; O what are these,
	Deaths Ministers, not Men, who thus deal Death
	Inhumanly to men, and multiply
	Ten thousandfould the sin of him who slew
	His Brother; for of whom such massacher
11.680	Make they but of thir Brethren, men of men?
	But who was that Just Man, whom had not Heav’n
	Rescu’d, had in his Righteousness bin lost?

	To whom thus Michael. These are the product
	Of those ill mated Marriages thou saw’st:
11.685	Where good with bad were matcht, who of themselves
	Abhor to joyn; and by imprudence mixt,
	Produce prodigious Births of bodie or mind.
	Such were these Giants, men of high renown;
	For in those dayes Might onely shall be admir’d,
11.690	And Valour and Heroic Vertu call’d;
	To overcome in Battle, and subdue
	Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite
	Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch
	Of human Glorie, and for Glorie done
11.695	Of triumph, to be styl’d great Conquerours,
	Patrons of Mankind, Gods, and Sons of Gods,
	Destroyers rightlier call’d and Plagues of men.
	Thus Fame shall be atchiev’d, renown on Earth,
	And what most merits fame in silence hid.
11.700	But hee the seventh from thee, whom thou beheldst
	The onely righteous in a World perverse,
	And therefore hated, therefore so beset
	With Foes for daring single to be just,
	And utter odious Truth, that God would come
11.705	To judge them with his Saints: Him the most High
	Rapt in a balmie Cloud with winged Steeds
	Did, as thou sawst, receave, to walk with God
	High in Salvation and the Climes of bliss,	climates
	Exempt from Death; to shew thee what reward
11.710	Awaits the good, the rest what punishment?
	Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold.

	He look’d, and saw the face of things quite chang’d;
	The brazen Throat of Warr had ceast to roar,
	All now was turn’d to jollitie and game,
11.715	To luxurie and riot, feast and dance,
	Marrying or prostituting, as befell,
	Rape or Adulterie, where passing faire
	Allurd them; thence from Cups to civil Broiles.
	At length a Reverend Sire among them came,
11.720	And of thir doings great dislike declar’d,
	And testifi’d against thir wayes; hee oft
	Frequented thir Assemblies, whereso met,
	Triumphs or Festivals, and to them preachd
	Conversion and Repentance, as to Souls
11.725	In prison under Judgments imminent:
	But all in vain: which when he saw, he ceas’d
	Contending, and remov’d his Tents farr off;
	Then from the Mountain hewing Timber tall,
	Began to build a Vessel of huge bulk,
11.730	Measur’d by Cubit, length, and breadth, and highth,	about eighteen inches — height
	Smeard round with Pitch, and in the side a dore
	Contriv’d, and of provisions laid in large
	For Man and Beast: when loe a wonder strange!
	Of every Beast, and Bird, and Insect small
11.735	Came seavens, and pairs, and enterd in, as taught
	Thir order; last the Sire, and his three Sons
	With thir four Wives; and God made fast the dore.
	Meanwhile the Southwind rose, and with black wings
	Wide hovering, all the Clouds together drove
11.740	From under Heav’n; the Hills to their supplie
	Vapour, and Exhalation dusk and moist,
	Sent up amain; and now the thick’nd Skie
	Like a dark Ceeling stood; down rush’d the Rain
	Impetuous, and continu’d till the Earth
11.745	No more was seen; the floating Vessel swum
	Uplifted; and secure with beaked prow
	Rode tilting o’re the Waves, all dwellings else
	Flood overwhelmd, and them with all thir pomp
	Deep under water rould; Sea cover’d Sea,
11.750	Sea without shoar; and in thir Palaces
	Where luxurie late reign’d, Sea-monsters whelp’d	recently
	And stabl’d; of Mankind, so numerous late,
	All left, in one small bottom swum imbark’t.
	How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold
11.755	The end of all thy Ofspring, end so sad,
	Depopulation; thee another Floud,
	Of tears and sorrow a Floud thee also drown’d,
	And sunk thee as thy Sons; till gently reard
	By th’ Angel, on thy feet thou stoodst at last,
11.760	Though comfortless, as when a Father mourns
	His Children, all in view destroyd at once;
	And scarce to th’ Angel utterdst thus thy plaint.

	O Visions ill foreseen! better had I
	Liv’d ignorant of future, so had borne
11.765	My part of evil onely, each dayes lot
	Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst
	The burd’n of many Ages, on me light
	At once, by my foreknowledge gaining Birth
	Abortive, to torment me ere thir being,	before
11.770	With thought that they must be. Let no man seek
	Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall
	Him or his Childern, evil he may be sure,
	Which neither his foreknowing can prevent,
	And hee the future evil shall no less
11.775	In apprehension then in substance feel
	Grievous to bear: but that care now is past,
	Man is not whom to warne: those few escapt
	Famin and anguish will at last consume
	Wandring that watrie Desert: I had hope
11.780	When violence was ceas’t, and Warr on Earth,
	All would have then gon well, peace would have crownd
	With length of happy dayes the race of man;
	But I was farr deceav’d; for now I see
	Peace to corrupt no less then Warr to waste.
11.785	How comes it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide,
	And whether here the Race of man will end.
	To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou sawst
	In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they
	First seen in acts of prowess eminent
11.790	And great exploits, but of true vertu void;
	Who having spilt much blood, and don much waste
	Subduing Nations, and achievd thereby
	Fame in the World, high titles, and rich prey,
	Shall change thir course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,
11.795	Surfet, and lust, till wantonness and pride
	Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace.
	The conquerd also, and enslav’d by Warr
	Shall with thir freedom lost all vertu loose
	And fear of God, from whom thir pietie feign’d
11.800	In sharp contest of Battel found no aide
	Against invaders; therefore coold in zeale
	Thenceforth shall practice how to live secure,
	Worldlie or dissolute, on what thir Lords
	Shall leave them to enjoy; for th’ Earth shall bear
11.805	More then anough, that temperance may be tri’d:
	So all shall turn degenerate, all deprav’d,
	Justice and Temperance, Truth and Faith forgot;
	One Man except, the onely Son of light
	In a dark Age, against example good,
11.810	Against allurement, custom, and a World
	Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn,
	Or violence, hee of wicked wayes
	Shall them admonish, and before them set
	The paths of righteousness, how much more safe,
11.815	And full of peace, denouncing wrauth to come
	On thir impenitence; and shall returne
	Of them derided, but of God observd
	The one just Man alive; by his command
	Shall build a wondrous Ark, as thou beheldst,
11.820	To save himself and houshold from amidst
	A World devote to universal rack.
	No sooner hee with them of Man and Beast
	Select for life shall in the Ark be lodg’d,
	And shelterd round, but all the Cataracts
11.825	Of Heav’n set open on the Earth shall powre
	Raine 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
11.830	Of Paradise by might of Waves be moovd
	Out of his place, pushd by the horned floud,
	With all his verdure spoil’d, and Trees adrift
	Down the great River to the op’ning Gulf,
	And there take root an Iland salt and bare,
11.835	The haunt of Seales and Orcs, and Sea-mews clang.
	To teach thee that God attributes to place
	No sanctitie, if none be thither brought	to there
	By Men who there frequent, or therein dwell.
	And now what further shall ensue, behold.

11.840	He lookd, and saw the Ark hull on the floud,
	Which now abated, for the Clouds were fled,
	Drivn by a keen North- winde, that blowing drie
	Wrinkl’d the face of Deluge, as decai’d;
	And the cleer Sun on his wide watrie Glass
11.845	Gaz’d hot, and of the fresh Wave largely drew,
	As after thirst, which made thir flowing shrink
	From standing lake to tripping ebbe, that stole
	With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt
	His Sluces, as the Heav’n his windows shut.
11.850	The Ark no more now flotes, but seems on ground
	Fast on the top of som high mountain fixt.
	And now the tops of Hills as Rocks appeer;
	With clamor thence the rapid Currents drive
	Towards the retreating Sea thir furious tyde.
11.855	Forthwith from out the Arke a Raven flies,
	And after him, the surer messenger,
	A Dove sent forth once and agen to spie
	Green Tree or ground whereon his foot may light;
	The second time returning, in his Bill
11.860	An Olive leafe he brings, pacific signe:
	Anon drie ground appeers, and from his Arke
	The ancient Sire descends with all his Train;
	Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout,
	Grateful to Heav’n, over his head beholds
11.865	A dewie Cloud, and in the Cloud a Bow
	Conspicuous with three listed colours gay,
	Betok’ning peace from God, and Cov’nant new.
	Whereat the heart of Adam erst so sad	before
	Greatly rejoyc’d, and thus his joy broke forth.

11.870	O thou that future things canst represent
	As present, Heav’nly instructer, I revive
	At this last sight, assur’d that Man shall live
	With all the Creatures, and thir seed preserve.
	Farr less I now lament for one whole World
11.875	Of wicked Sons destroyd, then I rejoyce
	For one Man found so perfet and so just,
	That God voutsafes to raise another World
	From him, and all his anger to forget.
	But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn,
11.880	Distended as the Brow of God appeas’d,
	Or serve they as a flourie verge to binde
	The fluid skirts of that same watrie Cloud,
	Least it again dissolve and showr the Earth?

	To whom th’ Archangel. Dextrously thou aim’st;
11.885	So willingly doth God remit his Ire,
	Though late repenting him of Man deprav’d,	recently
	Griev’d at his heart, when looking down he saw
	The whole Earth fill’d with violence, and all flesh
	Corrupting each thir way; yet those remoov’d,
11.890	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 Rain to drown the World
11.895	With Man therein or Beast; but when he brings
	Over the Earth a Cloud, will therein set
	His triple-colour’d Bow, whereon to look
	And call to mind his Cov’nant: Day and Night,
	Seed time and Harvest, Heat and hoary Frost
11.900	Shall hold thir course, till fire purge all things new,
	Both Heav’n and Earth, wherein the just shall dwell.

	The End of the Eleventh Book.

Paradise Lost
Book 11

John Milton

Edited by Jack Lynch

THE ARGUMENT

The End of the Eleventh Book.

Notes

Paradise Lost Book 11

John Milton

Edited by Jack Lynch

THE ARGUMENT

The End of the Eleventh Book.

Notes

Paradise Lost
Book 11