Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 4

	THE ARGUMENT	plot summary
	Satan now in prospect° of Eden, and nigh° the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprize which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many passions,° fear, envy, and despare; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradise, whose outward prospect and scituation is discribed, overleaps the bounds, sits in the shape of a Cormorant° on the Tree of life, as highest in the Garden to look about him. The Garden describ’d; Satans first sight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at thir excellent form and happy state, but with resolution to work thir fall; overhears thir discourse, thence° gathers that the Tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his Temptation, by seducing them to transgress: then leaves them a while, to know further of thir state by some other means. Mean while Urieldescending on a Sun-beam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the Gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had escap’d the Deep, and past at Noon by his Sphere in the shape of a good Angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious gestures in the Mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere° morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to thir rest: thir Bower° describ’d; thir Evening worship. Gabriel drawing forth his Bands° of Night-watch to walk the round of Paradise, appoints two strong Angels to Adams Bower, least the evill spirit should be there doing some harm to Adam or Eve sleeping; there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel; by whom question’d, he scornfully answers, prepares resistance, but hinder’d by a Sign from Heaven, flies out of Paradise.	prospect = sight nigh = near passions = emotions Cormorant = a kind of seabird thence = from it ere = before Bower = shady place of rest Bands = forces

	O For that warning voice, which he° who saw	John
	Th’ Apocalyps, heard cry in Heaven aloud,
	Then when the Dragon, put to second rout,
	Came furious down to be reveng’d on men,
4.5	Wo to the inhabitants on Earth! that now,
	While time was, our first-Parents had bin warnd
	The coming of thir secret foe, and scap’d°	escaped
	Haply° so scap’d his mortal° snare; for now	by chance — deadly
	Satan, now first inflam’d with rage, came down,
4.10	The Tempter ere° th’ Accuser of man-kind,	before
	To wreck° on innocent frail man his loss	wreak, inflict
	Of that first Battel, and his flight to Hell:
	Yet not rejoycing in his speed, though bold,
	Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast,
4.15	Begins his dire° attempt, which nigh° the birth	dreadful — near
	Now rowling, boiles in his tumultuous brest,
	And like a devillish Engine° back recoiles	cannon
	Upon himself; horror and doubt distract
	His troubl’d thoughts, and from the bottom stirr
4.20	The Hell within him, for within him Hell
	He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell
	One step no more then from himself can fly°	flee, escape
	By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair
	That slumberd,° wakes the bitter memorie	slept
4.25	Of what he was, what is, and what must be
	Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue.
	Sometimes towards Eden which now in his view
	Lay pleasant, his grievd look he fixes sad,
	Sometimes towards Heav’n and the full-blazing Sun,
4.30	Which now sat high in his Meridian° Towre:	high-point in the sky
	Then much revolving,° thus in sighs began.	considering

	O thou that with surpassing Glory crownd,
	Look’st from thy sole Dominion° like the God	kingdom
	Of this new World; at whose sight all the Starrs
4.35	Hide thir diminisht heads; to thee I call,
	But with no friendly voice, and add thy name
	O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams
	That bring to my remembrance from what state°	status, situation
	I fell, how glorious once above thy Spheare;
4.40	Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down
	Warring in Heav’n against Heav’ns matchless King:
	Ah wherefore!° he deservd no such return	why?
	From me, whom he created what I was
	In that bright eminence,° and with his good	excellence
4.45	Upbraided° none; nor was his service hard.	blamed
	What could be less then to afford him praise,
	The easiest recompence,° and pay him thanks,	return payment
	How due! yet all his good prov’d ill in me,
	And wrought° but malice; lifted up so high	created
4.50	I sdeind° subjection,° and thought one step higher	disdained = scorned — being lower in rank
	Would set me highest, and in a moment quit°	gave up
	The debt immense of endless gratitude,
	So burthensome, still paying, still to ow;
	Forgetful what from him I still receivd,
4.55	And understood not that a grateful mind
	By owing owes not, but still pays, at once
	Indebted and dischargd; what burden then?
	O had his powerful Destiny ordaind°	created
	Me some inferiour Angel, I had stood
4.60	Then happie; no unbounded hope had rais’d
	Ambition. Yet why not? som other Power
	As great might have aspir’d, and me though mean
	Drawn to his part; but other Powers as great
	Fell not, but stand unshak’n, from within
4.65	Or from without, to all temptations arm’d.
	Hadst thou the same free Will and Power to stand?
	Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse,
	But Heav’ns free Love dealt equally to all?
	Be then his Love accurst, since love or hate,
4.70	To me alike, it deals eternal woe.
	Nay curs’d be thou; since against his thy will
	Chose freely what it now so justly rues.
	Me miserable! which way shall I flie
	Infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire?
4.75	Which° way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell;	whichever
	And in the lowest deep a lower deep
	Still threatning to devour me opens wide,
	To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav’n.
	O then at last relent: is there no place
4.80	Left for Repentance, none for Pardon left?
	None left but by submission;° and that word	surrender
	Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame
	Among the Spirits beneath, whom I seduc’d
	With other promises and other vaunts°	boasts
4.85	Then to submit, boasting I could subdue
	Th’ Omnipotent. Ay me, they little know
	How dearly I abide° that boast so vaine,	suffer from
	Under what torments inwardly I groane:
	While they adore me on the Throne of Hell,
4.90	With Diadem° and Sceptre high advanc’d	crown
	The lower still I fall, onely Supream
	In miserie; such joy Ambition findes.
	But say I could repent and could obtaine
	By Act of Grace my former state; how soon
4.95	Would higth° recall high thoughts, how soon unsay	height
	What feign’d° submission swore: ease would recant	counterfeit
	Vows made in pain, as violent and void.
	For never can true reconcilement grow
	Where wounds of deadly hate have peirc’d so deep:
4.100	Which would but lead me to a worse relapse
	And heavier fall: so should I purchase deare
	Short intermission bought with double smart.°	suffering
	This knows my punisher; therefore as farr
	From granting hee, as I from begging peace:
4.105	All hope excluded thus, behold in stead
	Of us out-cast, exil’d, his new delight,
	Mankind created, and for him this World.
	So farewel Hope, and with Hope farewel Fear,
	Farewel Remorse:° all Good to me is lost;	regret for sins
4.110	Evil be thou my Good; by thee at least
	Divided Empire with Heav’ns King I hold
	By thee, and more then half perhaps will reigne;
	As Man ere° long, and this new World shall know.	before

	Thus while he spake, each passion dimm’d his face
4.115	Thrice chang’d with pale, ire, envie and despair,
	Which marrd his borrow’d visage,° and betraid°	look on his face — revealed
	Him counterfet, if any eye beheld.
	For heav’nly mindes from such distempers° foule	diseases
	Are ever cleer. Whereof° hee soon aware,	of which
4.120	Each perturbation° smooth’d with outward calme,	disturbance
	Artificer° of fraud; and was the first	creator
	That practisd falshood under saintly shew,°	appearance
	Deep malice to conceale, couch’t with revenge:
	Yet not anough had practisd to deceive
4.125	Uriel once warnd; whose eye pursu’d him down
	The way he went, and on th’ Assyrian mount
	Saw him disfigur’d, more then could befall°	happen to
	Spirit of happie sort: his gestures fierce
	He markd and mad demeanour, then alone,
4.130	As he suppos’d all unobserv’d, unseen.
	So on he fares, and to the border comes
	Of Eden, where delicious Paradise,
	Now nearer, Crowns with her enclosure green,
	As with a rural mound the champain° head	field
4.135	Of a steep wilderness, whose hairie° sides	bristling
	With thicket overgrown, grottesque and wilde,
	Access deni’d; and over head up grew
	Insuperable highth° of loftiest shade,	unsurmountable height
	Cedar, and Pine, and Firr, and branching Palm
4.140	A Silvan° Scene, and as the ranks ascend	wild
	Shade above shade, a woodie Theatre
	Of stateliest° view. Yet higher then thir tops	most distinguished
	The verdurous° wall of paradise up sprung:	green
	Which to our general Sire° gave prospect large	universal father
4.145	Into his neather° Empire neighbouring round.	lower
	And higher then that Wall a circling row
	Of goodliest Trees loaden with fairest Fruit,
	Blossoms and Fruits at once of golden hue
	Appeerd, with gay enameld° colours mixt:	decorated
4.150	On which the Sun more glad impress’d his beams
	Then in fair Evening Cloud, or humid Bow,°	rainbow
	When God hath showrd the earth; so lovely seemd
	That Lantskip:° And of pure now purer aire	landscape
	Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires
4.155	Vernal° delight and joy, able to drive	springtime
	All sadness but despair: now gentle gales
	Fanning thir odoriferous° wings dispense	scent-bearing
	Native perfumes, and whisper whence° they stole	from where
	Those balmie° spoiles.° As when to them who saile	fragrant — trophies of war
4.160	Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past
	Mozambic, off at Sea North-East windes blow
	Sabean Odours from the spicie shoare
	Of Arabie the blest, with such delay
	Well pleas’d they slack° thir course, and many a League	slow
4.165	Chear’d with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles.
	So entertaind those odorous sweets the Fiend
	Who came thir bane,° though with them better pleas’d	destroyer
	Then Asmodeus with the fishie fume,
	That drove him, though enamourd, from the Spouse
4.170	Of Tobits Son, and with a vengeance sent
	From Media post° to Ægypt, there fast° bound.	quickly — tightly

	Now to th’ ascent of that steep savage° Hill	wild
	Satan had journied on, pensive and slow;
	But further way found none, so thick entwin’d,
4.175	As one continu’d brake,° the undergrowth	thicket
	Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplext°	made complex
	All path of Man or Beast that past that way:
	One Gate there only was, and that look’d East
	On th’ other side: which when th’ arch-fellon saw
4.180	Due entrance he disdaind,° and in contempt,	looked at with contempt
	At one slight bound high over leap’d all bound
	Of Hill or highest Wall, and sheer° within	directly
	Lights on his feet. As when a prowling Wolfe,
	Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey,
4.185	Watching where Shepherds pen thir Flocks at eeve
	In hurdl’d Cotes° amid the field secure,	pens
	Leaps o’re the fence with ease into the Fould:°	enclosure for animals
	Or as a Thief bent to unhoord the cash
	Of some rich Burgher,° whose substantial dores,	citizen
4.190	Cross-barrd and bolted fast, fear no assault,
	In at the window climbs, or o’re the tiles;°	roof tiles
	So clomb° this first grand Thief into Gods Fould:	climbed
	So since into his Church lewd° Hirelings° climbe.	ignorant — people who do things only for money
	Thence° up he flew, and on the Tree of Life,	from there
4.195	The middle Tree and highest there that grew,
	Sat like a Cormorant;° yet not true Life	a large black bird
	Thereby regaind, but sat devising° Death	planning
	To them who liv’d; nor on the vertue° thought	medicinal power
	Of that life-giving Plant, but only us’d
4.200	For prospect,° what well us’d had bin the pledge	position to look over
	Of immortality. So little knows
	Any, but God alone, to value right
	The good before him, but perverts° best things	corrupts
	To worst abuse, or to thir meanest use.
4.205	Beneath him with new wonder now he views
	To all delight of human sense expos’d
	In narrow room Natures whole wealth, yea more,
	A Heaven on Earth, for blissful Paradise
	Of God the Garden was, by him in the East
4.210	Of Eden planted; Eden stretchd her Line
	From Auran Eastward to the Royal Towrs
	Of Great Seleucia, built by Grecian Kings,
	Or where the Sons of Eden long before
	Dwelt in Telassar: in this pleasant soile
4.215	His farr more pleasant Garden God ordaind;
	Out of the fertil ground he caus’d to grow
	All Trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste;
	And all amid them stood the Tree of Life,
	High eminent, blooming Ambrosial° Fruit	like the food of the gods
4.220	Of vegetable Gold; and next to Life
	Our Death the Tree of Knowledge grew fast by,
	Knowledge of Good bought dear° by knowing ill.	at a high price
	Southward through Eden went a River large,
	Nor chang’d his course, but through the shaggie hill
4.225	Pass’d underneath ingulft, for God had thrown
	That Mountain as his Garden mould° high rais’d	soil
	Upon the rapid current, which through veins
	Of porous Earth with kindly thirst up drawn,
	Rose a fresh Fountain, and with many a rill°	stream
4.230	Waterd the Garden; thence united fell	from there
	Down the steep glade, and met the neather° Flood,	lower
	Which from his darksom passage now appeers,
	And now divided into four main Streams,
	Runs divers,° wandring many a famous Realme	variously
4.235	And Country whereof° here needs no account,	of which
	But rather to tell how, if Art° could tell,	skill
	How from that Saphire Fount the crisped° Brooks,	wavy
	Rowling on Orient Pearl and sands of Gold,
	With mazie error under pendant° shades	hanging
4.240	Ran Nectar, visiting each plant, and fed
	Flours worthy of Paradise which not nice Art°	precise skill
	In Beds and curious° Knots, but Nature boon°	strange — gift
	Powrd forth profuse on Hill and Dale and Plaine,
	Both where the morning Sun first warmly smote°	struck
4.245	The open field, and where the unpierc’t shade
	Imbround° the noontide Bowrs: Thus was this place,	made dark
	A happy rural seat° of various view;	location
	Groves whose rich Trees wept odorous Gumms and Balme,
	Others whose fruit burnisht with Golden Rinde
4.250	Hung amiable,° Hesperian Fables true,	friendly
	If true, here only, and of delicious taste:
	Betwixt them Lawns, or level Downs, and Flocks
	Grasing the tender herb,° were interpos’d,	grass
	Or palmie hilloc,° or the flourie lap	small hill
4.255	Of som irriguous° Valley spred her store,	watered
	Flours of all hue, and without Thorn the Rose:
	Another side, umbrageous° Grots° and Caves	shady — caverns
	Of coole recess, o’re which the mantling° vine	enveloping
	Layes forth her purple Grape, and gently creeps
4.260	Luxuriant; mean while murmuring waters fall
	Down the slope hills, disperst, or in a Lake,
	That to the fringed Bank with Myrtle crownd,
	Her chrystal mirror holds, unite thir streams.
	The Birds thir quire° apply; aires, vernal° aires,°	chorus — springtime — songs
4.265	Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune
	The trembling leaves, while Universal Pan
	Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance
	Led on th’ Eternal Spring. Not that faire field
	Of Enna, where Proserpin gathering flours
4.270	Her self a fairer Floure by gloomie Dis
	Was gatherd, which cost Ceres all that pain
	To seek her through the world; nor that sweet Grove
	Of Daphne by Orontes, and th’ inspir’d
	Castalian Spring, might with this Paradise
4.275	Of Eden strive; nor that Nyseian Ile
	Girt with the River Triton, where old Cham,
	Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Lybian Jove,
	Hid Amalthea and her Florid Son
	Young Bacchus from his Stepdame° Rhea’s eye;	stepmother
4.280	Nor where Abassin Kings thir issue° Guard,	offspring
	Mount Amara, though this by som suppos’d
	True Paradise under the Ethiop Line
	By Nilus° head, enclosd with shining Rock,	the Nile
	A whole days journy high, but wide remote
4.285	From this Assyrian Garden, where the Fiend
	Saw undelighted all delight, all kind
	Of living Creatures new to sight and strange:
	Two of far nobler shape erect and tall,
	Godlike erect, with native Honour clad°	dressed
4.290	In naked Majestie seemd Lords of all,
	And worthie seemd, for in thir looks Divine
	The image of thir glorious Maker shon,°	shone, glowed
	Truth, wisdome, Sanctitude° severe and pure,	holiness
	Severe but in true filial° freedom plac’t;	like a parent–child relation
4.295	Whence° true autority in men; though both	from where
	Not equal, as thir sex not equal seemd;
	For contemplation° hee and valour° formd,	thinking — heroism
	For softness shee and sweet attractive Grace,
	Hee for God only, shee for God in him:
4.300	His fair large Front° and Eye sublime declar’d	forehead
	Absolute rule; and Hyacinthin° Locks	purplish-blue
	Round from his parted forelock manly hung
	Clustring, but not beneath his shoulders broad:
	Shee as a vail down to the slender waste
4.305	Her unadorned golden tresses° wore	locks of hair
	Disheveld, but in wanton° ringlets wav’d	unrestrained
	As the Vine curles her tendrils, which impli’d
	Subjection,° but requir’d with gentle sway,°	inferiority — authority
	And by her yielded, by him best receivd,
4.310	Yielded with coy submission, modest pride,
	And sweet reluctant amorous delay.
	Nor those mysterious parts were then conceald,
	Then was not guiltie shame, dishonest shame
	Of natures works, honor dishonorable,
4.315	Sin-bred, how have ye troubl’d all mankind
	With shews° instead, meer shews of seeming pure,	shows, appearances
	And banisht from mans life his happiest life,
	Simplicitie and spotless innocence.
	So passd they naked on, nor shund the sight
4.320	Of God or Angel, for they thought no ill:
	So hand in hand they passd, the lovliest pair
	That ever since in loves imbraces met,
	Adam the goodliest man of men since borne
	His Sons, the fairest of her Daughters Eve.
4.325	Under a tuft of shade that on a green
	Stood whispering soft, by a fresh Fountain side
	They sat them down, and after no more toil
	Of thir sweet Gardning labour then suffic’d
	To recommend coole Zephyr,° and made ease	gentle breeze
4.330	More easie, wholsom thirst and appetite
	More grateful,° to thir Supper Fruits they fell,	pleasing
	Nectarine° Fruits which the compliant boughes	like nectar
	Yielded them, side-long as they sat recline
	On the soft downie Bank damaskt° with flours:	spread
4.335	The savourie pulp they chew, and in the rinde
	Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream;
	Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles
	Wanted,° nor youthful dalliance as beseems°	lacked — is appropriate
	Fair couple, linkt in happie nuptial° League,	marital
4.340	Alone as they. About them frisking playd
	All Beasts of th’ Earth, since wilde, and of all chase
	In Wood or Wilderness, Forrest or Den;
	Sporting the Lion rampd, and in his paw
	Dandl’d the Kid; Bears, Tygers, Ounces,° Pards°	lynxes — leopards
4.345	Gambold° before them, th’ unwieldy Elephant	frisked
	To make them mirth us’d all his might, and wreathd
	His Lithe Proboscis;° close the Serpent sly	trunk
	Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine
	His breaded train, and of his fatal guile
4.350	Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass
	Coucht, and now fild with pasture gazing sat,
	Or Bedward ruminating: for the Sun
	Declin’d was hasting now with prone° carreer°	downward — course
	To th’ Ocean Iles, and in th’ ascending Scale
4.355	Of Heav’n the Starrs that usher Evening rose:
	When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood,
	Scarce thus at length faild speech recoverd sad.

	O Hell! what doe mine eyes with grief behold,
	Into our room of bliss thus high advanc’t
4.360	Creatures of other mould,° earth-born perhaps,	shape
	Not Spirits, yet to heav’nly Spirits bright
	Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue
	With wonder, and could love, so lively shines
	In them Divine resemblance, and such grace
4.365	The hand that formd them on thir shape hath pourd.
	Ah gentle pair, yee little think how nigh°	near
	Your change approaches, when all these delights
	Will vanish and deliver ye to woe,
	More woe, the more your taste is now of joy;
4.370	Happie, but for so happie ill secur’d
	Long to continue, and this high seat your Heav’n
	Ill° fenc’t for Heav’n to keep out such a foe	poorly
	As now is enterd; yet no purpos’d foe
	To you whom I could pittie thus forlorne°	lost
4.375	Though I unpittied: League with you I seek,
	And mutual amitie° so streight, so close,	friendship
	That I with you must dwell, or you with me
	Henceforth;° my dwelling haply° may not please	from now on — by chance
	Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such
4.380	Accept your Makers work; he gave it me,
	Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfold,
	To entertain you two, her widest Gates,
	And send forth all her Kings; there will be room,
	Not like these narrow limits, to receive
4.385	Your numerous ofspring; if no better place,
	Thank him who puts me loath to this revenge
	On you who wrong me not for him who wrongd.
	And should I at your harmless innocence
	Melt, as I doe, yet public reason just,
4.390	Honour and Empire with revenge enlarg’d,
	By conquering this new World, compels me now
	To do what else though damnd I should abhorre.

	So spake the Fiend, and with necessitie,
	The Tyrants plea, excus’d his devilish deeds.
4.395	Then from his loftie stand on that high Tree
	Down he alights° among the sportful° Herd	lands — playful
	Of those fourfooted kindes, himself now one,
	Now other, as thir shape servd best his end
	Neerer to view his prey, and unespi’d°	unseen
4.400	To mark what of thir state° he more might learn	situation
	By word or action markt: about them round
	A Lion now he stalkes with fierie glare,
	Then as a Tyger, who by chance hath spi’d
	In some Purlieu° two gentle Fawnes at play,	patch of ground
4.405	Strait° couches close, then rising changes oft	narrow
	His couchant° watch, as one who chose his ground	crouching
	Whence° rushing he might surest seize them both	from where
	Gript in each paw: when Adam first of men
	To first of women Eve thus moving speech,
4.410	Turnd him all eare to hear new utterance flow.

	Sole partner and sole part of all these joyes,
	Dearer thy self then all; needs must the Power
	That made us, and for us this ample World
	Be infinitly good, and of his good
4.415	As liberal and free as infinite,
	That rais’d us from the dust and plac’t us here
	In all this happiness, who at his hand
	Have nothing merited,° nor can performe	deserved
	Aught° whereof° hee hath need, hee who requires	anything — of which
4.420	From us no other service then to keep
	This one, this easie charge, of all the Trees
	In Paradise that bear delicious fruit
	So various, not to taste that onely Tree
	Of knowledge, planted by the Tree of Life,
4.425	So neer grows Death to Life, what ere° Death is,	before
	Som dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowst
	God hath pronounc’t° it death to taste that Tree,	declared
	The only sign of our obedience left
	Among so many signes of power and rule
4.430	Conferrd upon us, and Dominion° giv’n	authority
	Over all other Creatures that possess
	Earth, Aire, and Sea. Then let us not think hard
	One easie prohibition, who enjoy
	Free leave so large to all things else, and choice
4.435	Unlimited of manifold delights:
	But let us ever praise him, and extoll
	His bountie, following our delightful task
	To prune these growing Plants, and tend these Flours,
	Which were it toilsom, yet with thee were sweet.

4.440	To whom thus Eve repli’d. O thou for whom
	And from whom I was formd flesh of thy flesh,
	And without whom am to no end, my Guide
	And Head, what thou hast said is just and right.
	For wee to him indeed all praises owe,
4.445	And daily thanks, I chiefly who enjoy
	So farr the happier Lot, enjoying thee
	Præeminent by so much odds, while thou
	Like consort° to thy self canst no where find.	companion
	That day I oft remember, when from sleep
4.450	I first awak’t, and found my self repos’d°	lying down
	Under a shade of flours, much wondring where
	And what I was, whence thither° brought, and how.	from where to there
	Not distant far from thence a murmuring sound	there
	Of waters issu’d from a Cave and spread
4.455	Into a liquid Plain, then stood unmov’d
	Pure as th’ expanse of Heav’n; I thither° went	to there
	With unexperienc’t thought, and laid me downe
	On the green bank, to look into the cleer
	Smooth Lake, that to me seemd another Skie.
4.460	As I bent down to look, just opposite,
	A Shape within the watry gleam appeard
	Bending to look on me, I started back,
	It started back, but pleas’d I soon returnd,
	Pleas’d it returnd as soon with answering looks
4.465	Of sympathie and love; there I had fixt
	Mine eyes till now, and pin’d with vain desire,
	Had not a voice thus warnd me, What thou seest,
	What there thou seest fair Creature is thy self,
	With thee it came and goes: but follow me,
4.470	And I will bring thee where no shadow staies°	awaits
	Thy coming, and thy soft imbraces, hee
	Whose image thou art, him thou shalt enjoy
	Inseparablie thine, to him shalt beare
	Multitudes like thy self, and thence° be call’d	from there
4.475	Mother of human Race: what could I doe,
	But follow strait,° invisibly thus led?	immediately
	Till I espi’d thee, fair indeed and tall,
	Under a Platan,° yet methought less faire,	plane tree
	Less winning soft, less amiablie milde,
4.480	Then that smooth watry image; back I turnd,
	Thou following cryd’st aloud, Return faire Eve,
	Whom fli’st thou? whom thou fli’st, of him thou art,
	His flesh, his bone; to give thee being I lent
	Out of my side to thee, neerest my heart
4.485	Substantial Life, to have thee by my side
	Henceforth an individual solace dear;	from now on
	Part of my Soul I seek thee, and thee claim
	My other half: with that thy gentle hand
	Seisd mine, I yielded, and from that time see
4.490	How beauty is excelld by manly grace
	And wisdom, which alone is truly fair.°	beautiful

	So spake our general° Mother, and with eyes	universal
	Of conjugal° attraction unreprov’d,	marital
	And meek surrender, half imbracing leand
4.495	On our first Father, half her swelling Breast
	Naked met his under the flowing Gold
	Of her loose tresses hid: he in delight
	Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms
	Smil’d with superior Love, as Jupiter°	Zeus
4.500	On Juno° smiles, when he impregns° the Clouds	Hera — makes pregnant
	That shed May Flowers; and press’d her Matron lip
	With kisses pure: aside the Devil turnd
	For envie, yet with jealous leer maligne
	Ey’d them askance,° and to himself thus plaind.°	with a side glance — complained

4.505	Sight hateful, sight tormenting! thus these two
	Imparadis’t in one anothers arms
	The happier Eden, shall enjoy thir fill
	Of bliss on bliss, while I to Hell am thrust,
	Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire,
4.510	Among our other torments not the least,
	Still unfulfill’d with pain of longing pines;
	Yet let me not forget what I have gain’d
	From thir own mouths; all is not theirs it seems:
	One fatal Tree there stands of Knowledge call’d,
4.515	Forbidden them to taste: Knowledge forbidd’n?
	Suspicious, reasonless. Why should thir Lord
	Envie them that? can it be sin to know,
	Can it be death? and do they onely stand
	By Ignorance, is that thir happie state,
4.520	The proof of thir obedience and thir faith?
	O fair foundation laid whereon to build
	Thir ruine! Hence I will excite thir minds	from here
	With more desire to know, and to reject
	Envious commands, invented with designe
4.525	To keep them low whom knowledge might exalt
	Equal with Gods; aspiring to be such,
	They taste and die: what likelier can ensue?
	But first with narrow search I must walk round
	This Garden, and no corner leave unspi’d;
4.530	A chance but chance may lead where I may meet
	Some wandring Spirit of Heav’n, by Fountain side,
	Or in thick shade retir’d, from him to draw
	What further would be learnt. Live while ye may,
	Yet happie pair; enjoy, till I return,
4.535	Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed.

	So saying, his proud step he scornful turn’d,
	But with sly circumspection, and began
	Through wood, through waste, o’re hill, o’re dale his roam.
	Mean while in utmost Longitude, where Heav’n
4.540	With Earth and Ocean meets, the setting Sun
	Slowly descended, and with right aspect
	Against the eastern Gate of Paradise
	Leveld his eevning Rayes: it was a Rock
	Of Alablaster, pil’d up to the Clouds,
4.545	Conspicuous farr, winding with one ascent
	Accessible from Earth, one entrance high;
	The rest was craggie cliff, that overhung
	Still as it rose, impossible to climbe.
	Betwixt these rockie Pillars Gabriel sat
4.550	Chief of th’ Angelic Guards, awaiting night;
	About him exercis’d Heroic Games
	Th’ unarmed Youth of Heav’n, but nigh at hand	near
	Celestial Armourie, Shields, Helmes, and Speares
	Hung high with Diamond flaming, and with Gold.
4.555	Thither came Uriel, gliding through the Eeven	to there
	On a Sun beam, swift as a shooting Starr
	In Autumn thwarts the night, when vapors fir’d
	Impress the Air, and shews the Mariner
	From what point of his Compass to beware
4.560	Impetuous winds: he thus began in haste.

	Gabriel, to thee thy course by Lot hath giv’n
	Charge and strict watch that to this happie place
	No evil thing approach or enter in;
	This day at highth of Noon came to my Spheare	height
4.565	A Spirit, zealous, as he seem’d, to know
	More of th’ Almighties works, and chiefly Man
	Gods latest Image: I describ’d his way
	Bent all on speed, and markt his Aerie Gate;
	But in the Mount that lies from Eden North,
4.570	Where he first lighted, soon discernd his looks
	Alien from Heav’n, with passions° foul obscur’d:	emotions
	Mine eye pursu’d him still, but under shade
	Lost sight of him; one of the banisht crew
	I fear, hath ventur’d from the Deep, to raise
4.575	New troubles; him thy care must be to find.

	To whom the winged Warriour thus returnd:
	Uriel, no wonder if thy perfet sight,
	Amid the Suns bright circle where thou sitst,
	See farr and wide: in at this Gate none pass
4.580	The vigilance here plac’t, but such as come
	Well known from Heav’n; and since Meridian hour
	No Creature thence: if Spirit of other sort,	from there
	So minded, have oreleapt these earthie bounds
	On purpose, hard thou knowst it to exclude
4.585	Spiritual substance with corporeal barr.
	But if within the circuit of these walks,
	In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom
	Thou tellst, by morrow dawning I shall know.

	So promis’d hee, and Uriel to his charge
4.590	Returnd on that bright beam, whose point now rais’d
	Bore him slope downward to the Sun now fall’n
	Beneath th’ Azores; whither the prime Orb,
	Incredible how swift, had thither rowl’d	to there
	Diurnal, or this less volubil Earth
4.595	By shorter flight to th’ East, had left him there
	Arraying with reflected Purple and Gold
	The Clouds that on his Western Throne attend:
	Now came still Eevning on, and Twilight gray
	Had in her sober Liverie all things clad;
4.600	Silence accompanied, for Beast and Bird,
	They to thir grassie Couch, these to thir Nests
	Were slunk, all but the wakeful Nightingale;
	She all night long her amorous descant sung;
	Silence was pleas’d: now glow’d the Firmament
4.605	With living Saphirs: Hesperus that led
	The starrie Host, rode brightest, till the Moon	army
	Rising in clouded Majestie, at length
	Apparent Queen unvaild her peerless light,
	And o’re the dark her Silver Mantle threw.

4.610	When Adam thus to Eve: Fair Consort, th’ hour	companion
	Of night, and all things now retir’d to rest
	Mind us of like repose, since God hath set
	Labour and rest, as day and night to men
	Successive, and the timely dew of sleep
4.615	Now falling with soft slumbrous weight inclines
	Our eye-lids; other Creatures all day long
	Rove idle unimploid, and less need rest;
	Man hath his daily work of body or mind
	Appointed, which declares his Dignitie,
4.620	And the regard of Heav’n on all his waies;
	While other Animals unactive range,
	And of thir doings God takes no account.
	To morrow ere fresh Morning streak the East	before
	With first approach of light, we must be ris’n,
4.625	And at our pleasant labour, to reform
	Yon flourie Arbors, yonder Allies green,
	Our walk at noon, with branches overgrown,
	That mock our scant manuring, and require
	More hands then ours to lop thir wanton growth:
4.630	Those Blossoms also, and those dropping Gumms,
	That lie bestrowne unsightly and unsmooth,
	Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease;
	Mean while, as Nature wills, Night bids us rest.

	To whom thus Eve with perfet beauty adornd.
4.635	My Author and Disposer, what thou bidst
	Unargu’d I obey; so God ordains,
	God is thy Law, thou mine: to know no more
	Is womans happiest knowledge and her praise.
	With thee conversing I forget all time,
4.640	All seasons and thir change, all please alike.
	Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,
	With charm of earliest Birds; pleasant the Sun
	When first on this delightful Land he spreads
	His orient Beams, on herb, tree, fruit, and flour,	eastern
4.645	Glistring with dew; fragrant the fertil earth
	After soft showers; and sweet the coming on
	Of grateful Eevning milde, then silent Night
	With this her solemn Bird and this fair Moon,
	And these the Gemms of Heav’n, her starrie train:
4.650	But neither breath of Morn when she ascends
	With charm of earliest Birds, nor rising Sun
	On this delightful land, nor herb, fruit, floure,
	Glistring with dew, nor fragrance after showers,
	Nor grateful Eevning mild, nor silent Night
4.655	With this her solemn Bird, nor walk by Moon,
	Or glittering Starr-light without thee is sweet.
	But wherfore all night long shine these, for whom
	This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes?

	To whom our general Ancestor repli’d.
4.660	Daughter of God and Man, accomplisht Eve,
	Those have thir course to finish, round the Earth,
	By morrow Eevning, and from Land to Land
	In order, though to Nations yet unborn,
	Ministring light prepar’d, they set and rise;
4.665	Least total darkness should by Night regaine
	Her old possession, and extinguish life
	In Nature and all things, which these soft fires
	Not only enlighten, but with kindly heate
	Of various influence foment and warme,
4.670	Temper or nourish, or in part shed down
	Thir stellar vertue on all kinds that grow	power
	On Earth, made hereby apter to receive
	Perfection from the Suns more potent Ray.
	These then, though unbeheld in deep of night,
4.675	Shine not in vain, nor think, though men were none,
	That heav’n would want spectators, God want praise;	lack — lack
	Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the Earth
	Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep:
	All these with ceasless praise his works behold
4.680	Both day and night: how often from the steep
	Of echoing Hill or Thicket have we heard
	Celestial voices to the midnight air,
	Sole, or responsive each to others note
	Singing thir great Creator: oft in bands
4.685	While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk,
	With Heav’nly touch of instrumental sounds
	In full harmonic number joind, thir songs
	Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to Heaven.

	Thus talking hand in hand alone they pass’d
4.690	On to thir blissful Bower; it was a place
	Chos’n by the sovran Planter, when he fram’d	sovereign
	All things to mans delightful use; the roofe
	Of thickest covert was inwoven shade
	Laurel and Mirtle, and what higher grew
4.695	Of firm and fragrant leaf; on either side
	Acanthus, and each odorous bushie shrub
	Fenc’d up the verdant wall; each beauteous flour,
	Iris all hues, Roses, and Gessamin
	Rear’d high thir flourisht heads between, and wrought
4.700	Mosaic; underfoot the Violet,
	Crocus, and Hyacinth with rich inlay
	Broiderd the ground, more colour’d then with stone
	Of costliest Emblem: other Creature here
	Beast, Bird, Insect, or Worm durst° enter none;	dared
4.705	Such was thir awe of Man. In shadie Bower
	More sacred and sequesterd, though but feignd,
	Pan or Silvanus never slept, nor Nymph,
	Nor Faunus haunted. Here in close recess
	With Flowers, Garlands, and sweet-smelling Herbs
4.710	Espoused Eve deckt first her Nuptial Bed,
	And heav’nlyly Quires the Hymenæan sung,	choirs — wedding
	What day the genial Angel to our Sire
	Brought her in naked beauty more adorn’d
	More lovely then Pandora, whom the Gods
4.715	Endowd with all thir gifts, and O too like
	In sad event,° when to the unwiser Son	outcome
	Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnar’d
	Mankind with her faire looks, to be aveng’d
	On him who had stole Joves authentic fire.

4.720	Thus at thir shadie Lodge arriv’d, both stood
	Both turnd, and under op’n Skie ador’d
	The God that made both Skie, Air, Earth and Heav’n
	Which they beheld, the Moons resplendent Globe
	And starrie Pole: Thou also mad’st the Night,
4.725	Maker Omnipotent, and thou the Day,
	Which we in our appointed work imployd
	Have finisht happie in our mutual help
	And mutual love, the Crown of all our bliss
	Ordaind by thee, and this delicious place
4.730	For us too large, where thy abundance wants	lacks
	Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground.
	But thou hast promis’d from us two a Race
	To fill the Earth, who shall with us extoll
	Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake,
4.735	And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep.

	This said unanimous, and other Rites
	Observing none, but adoration pure
	Which God likes best, into thir inmost bowre
	Handed they went; and eas’d the putting off
4.740	These troublesom disguises which wee wear,
	Strait side by side were laid, nor turnd I weene
	Adam from his fair Spouse, nor Eve the Rites
	Mysterious of connubial Love refus’d:
	Whatever Hypocrites austerely talk
4.745	Of puritie and place and innocence,
	Defaming as impure what God declares
	Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all.
	Our Maker bids increase, who bids abstain
	But our Destroyer, foe to God and Man?
4.750	Haile wedded Love, mysterious Law, true source
	Of human ofspring, sole propriety,
	In Paradise of all things common else.	otherwise
	By thee adulterous lust was driv’n from men
	Among the bestial herds to raunge, by thee
4.755	Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure,
	Relations dear, and all the Charities
	Of Father, Son, and Brother first were known.
	Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,
	Or think thee unbefitting holiest place,
4.760	Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets,
	Whose bed is undefil’d and chaste pronounc’t,
	Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs us’d.
	Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lights
	His constant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,
4.765	Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile
	Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard,
	Casual fruition, nor in Court Amours
	Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Bal,
	Or Serenate, which the starv’d Lover sings
4.770	To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain.
	These lulld by Nightingales imbraceing slept,
	And on thir naked limbs the flourie roof
	Showrd Roses, which the Morn repair’d. Sleep on
	Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek
4.775	No happier state, and know to know no more.

	Now had night measur’d with her shaddowie Cone
	Half way up Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,
	And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim	angels
	Forth issuing at th’ accustomd hour stood armd
4.780	To thir night watches in warlike Parade,
	When Gabriel to his next in power thus spake.

	Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the South
	With strictest watch; these other wheel the North,
	Our circuit meets full West. As flame they part
4.785	Half wheeling to the Shield, half to the Spear.
	From these, two strong and suttle Spirits he calld
	That neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.

	Ithuriel and Zephon, with wingd speed
	Search through this Garden, leave unsearcht no nook,
4.790	But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge,
	Now laid perhaps asleep secure of harme.
	This Eevning from the Sun’s decline arriv’d
	Who tells of som infernal Spirit seen
	Hitherward bent (who could have thought?) escap’d
4.795	The barrs of Hell, on errand bad no doubt:
	Such where ye find, seise fast, and hither bring.	to here

	So saying, on he led his radiant Files,
	Daz’ling the Moon; these to the Bower direct
	In search of whom they sought: him there they found
4.800	Squat like a Toad, close at the eare of Eve;
	Assaying by his Devilish art to reach	trying — skill
	The Organs of her Fancie, and with them forge
	Illusions as he list, Phantasms and Dreams,
	Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint
4.805	Th’ animal spirits that from pure blood arise
	Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure, thence raise	from there
	At least distemperd, discontented thoughts,	diseased
	Vaine hopes, vaine aimes, inordinate desires
	Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride.
4.810	Him thus intent Ithuriel with his Spear
	Touch’d lightly; for no falshood can endure
	Touch of Celestial temper, but returns
	Of force to its own likeness: up he starts
	Discoverd° and surpriz’d. As when a spark	exposed
4.815	Lights on a heap of nitrous Powder, laid
	Fit for the Tun som Magazin to store
	Against a rumord Warr, the Smuttie graine
	With sudden blaze diffus’d, inflames the Aire:
	So started up in his own shape the Fiend.
4.820	Back stept those two fair Angels half amaz’d
	So sudden to behold the grieslie King;
	Yet thus, unmovd with fear, accost him soon.

	Which of those rebell Spirits adjudg’d to Hell
	Com’st thou, escap’d thy prison, and transform’d,
4.825	Why satst thou like an enemie in waite
	Here watching at the head of these that sleep?

	Know ye not then said Satan, fill’d with scorn
	Know ye not mee? ye knew me once no mate
	For you, there sitting where ye durst° not soare;	dare
4.830	Not to know mee argues your selves unknown,
	The lowest of your throng; or if ye know,
	Why ask ye, and superfluous begin
	Your message, like to end as much in vain?
	To whom thus Zephon, answering scorn with scorn.
4.835	Think not, revolted Spirit, thy shape the same,
	Or undiminisht brightness, to be known
	As when thou stoodst in Heav’n upright and pure;
	That Glorie then, when thou no more wast good,
	Departed from thee, and thou resembl’st now
4.840	Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foule.	dark
	But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account
	To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep
	This place inviolable, and these from harm.

	So spake the Cherube, and his grave rebuke	angel
4.845	Severe in youthful beautie, added grace
	Invincible: abasht the Devil stood,
	And felt how awful goodness is, and saw	awe-inspiring
	Vertue in her shape how lovly, saw, and pin’d
	His loss; but chiefly to find here observd
4.850	His lustre visibly impair’d; yet seemd
	Undaunted. If I must contend, said he,
	Best with the best, the Sender not the sent,
	Or all at once; more glorie will be wonn,
	Or less be lost. Thy fear, said Zephon bold,
4.855	Will save us trial what the least can doe
	Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.	therefore

	The Fiend repli’d not, overcome with rage;
	But like a proud Steed reind, went hautie on,
	Chaumping his iron curb: to strive or flie
4.860	He held it vain; awe from above had quelld
	His heart, not else dismai’d. Now drew they nigh	otherwise — near
	The western Point, where those half-rounding guards
	Just met, and closing stood in squadron joind
	Awaiting next command. To whom thir Chief
4.865	Gabriel from the Front thus calld aloud.

	O friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet
	Hasting this way, and now by glimps discerne
	Ithuriel and Zephon through the shade,
	And with them comes a third of Regal port,
4.870	But faded splendor wan; who by his gate
	And fierce demeanour seems the Prince of Hell,
	Not likely to part hence without contest;	from here
	Stand firm, for in his look defiance lours.	threatens

	He scarce had ended, when those two approachd
4.875	And brief related whom they brought, where found,
	How busied, in what form and posture coucht.

	To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake.
	Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib’d
	To thy transgressions, and disturbd the charge
4.880	Of others, who approve not to transgress
	By thy example, but have power and right
	To question thy bold entrance on this place;
	Imploi’d it seems to violate sleep, and those
	Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?

4.885	To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow.
	Gabriel, thou hadst in Heav’n th’ esteem of wise,
	And such I held thee; but this question askt
	Puts me in doubt. Lives ther who loves his pain?
	Who would not, finding way, break loose from Hell,
4.890	Though thither doomd? Thou wouldst thyself, no doubt,	to go there
	And boldly venture to whatever place
	Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change
	Torment with ease, and; soonest recompence
	Dole with delight, which in this place I sought;
4.895	To thee no reason; who knowst only good,
	But evil hast not tri’d: and wilt object
	His will who bound us? let him surer barr
	His Iron Gates, if he intends our stay
	In that dark durance: thus much what was askt.
4.900	The rest is true, they found me where they say;
	But that implies not violence or harme.

	Thus he in scorn. The warlike Angel mov’d,
	Disdainfully half smiling thus repli’d.
	O loss of one in Heav’n to judge of wise,
4.905	Since Satan fell, whom follie overthrew,
	And now returns him from his prison scap’t,
	Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise
	Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither	to here
	Unlicenc’t from his bounds in Hell prescrib’d;
4.910	So wise he judges it to fly from pain
	However, and to scape his punishment.
	So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrauth,
	Which thou incurr’st by flying, meet thy flight
	Seavenfold, and scourge that wisdom back to Hell,
4.915	Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain
	Can equal anger infinite provok’t.
	But wherefore thou alone? wherefore with thee
	Came not all Hell broke loose? is pain to them
	Less pain, less to be fled, or thou then they
4.920	Less hardie to endure? courageous Chief,
	The first in flight from pain, hadst thou alleg’d
	To thy deserted host this cause of flight,	army
	Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive.

	To which the Fiend thus answerd frowning stern.
4.925	Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain,
	Insulting Angel, well thou knowst I stood
	Thy fiercest, when in Battel to thy aide
	The blasting volied Thunder made all speed
	And seconded thy else not dreaded Spear.	otherwise
4.930	But still thy words at random, as before,
	Argue thy inexperience what behooves
	From hard assaies and ill successes past
	A faithful Leader, not to hazard° all	risk
	Through wayes of danger by himself untri’d,
4.935	I therefore, I alone first undertook
	To wing the desolate Abyss, and spie
	This new created World, whereof in Hell
	Fame is not silent, here in hope to find	reputation
	Better abode, and my afflicted Powers
4.940	To settle here on Earth, or in mid Aire;
	Though for possession put to try once more
	What thou and thy gay Legions dare against;
	Whose easier business were to serve thir Lord
	High up in Heav’n, with songs to hymne his Throne,
4.945	And practis’d distances to cringe, not fight.

	To whom the warriour Angel, soon repli’d.
	To say and strait unsay, pretending first	immediately
	Wise to flie pain, professing next the Spie,
	Argues no Leader, but a lyar trac’t,
4.950	Satan, and couldst thou faithful add? O name,
	O sacred name of faithfulness profan’d!
	Faithful to whom? to thy rebellious crew?
	Armie of Fiends, fit body to fit head;
	Was this your discipline and faith ingag’d,
4.955	Your military obedience, to dissolve
	Allegeance to th’ acknowledg’d Power supream?
	And thou sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem
	Patron of liberty, who more then thou
	Once fawn’d, and cring’d, and servilly ador’d
4.960	Heav’ns awful Monarch? wherefore but in hope	awe-inspiring
	To dispossess him, and thy self to reigne?
	But mark what I arreede thee now, avant;
	Flie thither whence thou fledst: if from this houre	to there from where
	Within these hallowd limits thou appeer,
4.965	Back to th’ infernal pit I drag thee chaind,
	And Seale thee so, as henceforth not to scorne	from now on
	The facil gates of hell too slightly barrd.

	So threatn’d hee, but Satan to no threats
	Gave heed, but waxing more in rage repli’d.

4.970	Then when I am thy captive talk of chaines,
	Proud limitarie Cherube, but ere then	restricted — angel — before
	Farr heavier load thy self expect to feel
	From my prevailing arme, though Heavens King
	Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy Compeers,
4.975	Us’d to the yoak, draw’st his triumphant wheels
	In progress through the rode of Heav’n Star-pav’d.

	While thus he spake, th’ Angelic Squadron bright
	Turnd fierie red, sharpning in mooned hornes
	Thir Phalanx, and began to hemm him round
4.980	With ported Spears, as thick as when a field
	Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends
	Her bearded Grove of ears, which way the wind
	Swayes° them; the careful Plowman doubting stands	influences
	Least on the threshing floore his hopeful sheaves
4.985	Prove chaff. On th’ other side Satan allarm’d
	Collecting all his might dilated stood,
	Like Teneriff or Atlas unremov’d:
	His stature reacht the Skie, and on his Crest
	Sat horror Plum’d; nor wanted in his graspe	lacked
4.990	What seemd both Spear and Shield: now dreadful deeds
	Might have ensu’d, nor onely Paradise
	In this commotion, but the Starrie Cope	vault
	Of Heav’n perhaps, or all the Elements
	At least had gon to rack, disturbd and torne
4.995	With violence of this conflict, had not soon
	Th’ Eternal to prevent such horrid fray	fighting
	Hung forth in Heav’n his golden Scales, yet seen
	Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion signe,
	Wherein all things created first he weighd,
4.1000	The pendulous round Earth with balanc’t Aire
	In counterpoise, now ponders all events,°	outcomes
	Battels and Realms: in these he put two weights
	The sequel each of parting and of fight;
	The latter quick up flew, and kickt the beam;
4.1005	Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the Fiend.

	Satan, I know thy strength, and thou know’st mine,
	Neither our own but giv’n; what follie then
	To boast what Arms can doe, since thine no more
	Then Heav’n permits, nor mine, though doubld now
4.1010	To trample thee as mire: for proof look up,
	And read thy Lot in yon celestial Sign
	Where thou art weigh’d, and shown how light, how weak,
	If thou resist. The Fiend lookt up and knew
	His mounted scale aloft: nor more; but fled
4.1015	Murmuring, and with him fled the shades of night.

	The End of the Fourth Book.

← Book 3

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Paradise Lost
Book 4

John Milton

Edited by Jack Lynch

THE ARGUMENT

The End of the Fourth Book.

Notes

Paradise Lost Book 4

John Milton

Edited by Jack Lynch

THE ARGUMENT

The End of the Fourth Book.

Notes

Paradise Lost
Book 4