And now prepare thee for another sight.
He look'd, and saw a spacious plain, whereon Were tents of various hue: by some were herds Of cattle grazing; others, whence the sound Of instruments that made melodious chime Was heard, of harp and organ; and who mov'd Their 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 Lab'ring, two massy 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 some cave's mouth, or whether wash'd by stream From underground), the liquid ore he drain'd Into fit moulds prepar'd; from which he form'd First his own tools, then what might else be wrought Fusile or grav'n in metal. After these,
But on the hither side, a different sort
From the high neighb'ring hills, which was their seat, Down to the plain descended: by their guise Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent To worship God aright, and know his works Not hid, nor those things last which might preserve Freedom and peace to men: they on the plain Long had not walk'd, when from the tents behold A bevy of fair women, richly gay
sand wanton dress; to th' harp they sung Soft amorous ditties, and in dance came on.
The men, though grave, ey'd them, and let their eyes Rove without rein, till in the amorous net
First caught they lik'd, and each his liking chose: And now of love they treat, till th’ev'ning star, Love's harbinger, appear'd; then all in heat They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke Hymen, then first to marriage-rites invok'd: With feast and music all the tents resound. Such happy interview and fair event
Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flow'rs, And charming symphonies attach'd the heart
Of Adam, soon inclin❜d t' admit delight, The bent of nature which he thus express'd:
True opener of mine eyes, prime Angel bless'd, Much better seems this vision, and more hope Of peaceful days portends than those two past: Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse; Here nature seems fulfill'd and all her ends.
To whom thus Michael: Judge not what is best By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet, Created, as thou art, to nobler end,
Holy and pure, conformity divine.
Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant, were the tents Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race Who slew his brother; studious they appear Of arts that polish life, inventors rare, Unmindful of their Maker, though his Spirit Taught them, but they his gifts acknowledg'd none. Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget: For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that seem'd Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay, Yet empty of all good, wherein consists Woman's domestic honour and chief praise; Bred only and completed to the taste Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance, To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye. To these, that sober race of men, whose lives Religious titled them the sons of God, Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles Of these fair atheists, and now swim in joy, Ere long to swim at large; and laugh, for which The world ere long a world of tears must weep.
To whom thus Adam, of short joy bereft: O pity and shame, that they who to live well, Enter'd so fair, should turn aside to tread Paths indirect, or in the midway faint! But still I see the tenor of Man's woe
Holds on the same, from Woman to begin. From man's effeminate slackness it begins, Said th' Angel, who should better hold his place By wisdom, and superior gifts receiv'd.
But now prepare thee for another scene.
He look'd, and saw wide territories spread Before him, towns, and rural works between, Cities of men with lofty gates and tow'rs; Concourse in arms, fierce faces threat'ning war, Giants of mighty bone, and bold emprise :
Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed, Single or in array of battle rang'd
Both horse and foot, nor idle must'ring stood; One way a band select from forage drives A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine From a fat meadow-ground, or fleecy flock, Ewes and their bleating lambs, over the plain, Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds fly, But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray; With cruel tournament the squadrons join; Where cattle pastur'd late, now scatter'd lies With carcasses and arms th' insanguin'd field Deserted: others to a city strong
Lay siege, incamp'd; by battery, scale, and mine, Assaulting; others from the wall defend
With dart and jav'lin, stones and sulph'rous fire; On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds. In other parts the scepter'd heralds call To council in the city gates; anon
Grey-headed men and grave, with warriors mix'd Assemble, and harangues are heard, but soon In factious opposition; till at last
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, Had not a cloud decsending 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
Lamenting turn'd full sad; O what are these, Death's ministers, not men, who thus deal death Inhumanly to men, aud multiply.
Ten thousand fold the sin of him who slew His brother: for of whom such massacre Make they but of their brethren, men of men? But who was that just man, whom had not Heav'n Rescu'd, had in his righteousness been lost?
To whom thus Michael: These are the product Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw'st;
Where good with bad were match'd, who of themselves Abhor to join; and by imprudence mix'd, Produce prodigious births of body or mind, Such were these giants, men of high renown; For in those days might only shall be admir'd, And valour and heroic virtue 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 glory, and for glory done Of triumph, to be stil'd great conquerors, 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. But he, the sev'nth from thee, whom thou beheldst The only 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 To judge them with his saints: him the most High Wrapt in a balmy cloud with winged steeds Did, as thou saw'st, receive, to walk with God High in salvation and the climes of bliss, Exempt from death; to show thee what reward. 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 war had ceas'd to roar;
All now was turn'd to jollity and game,
To luxury and riot, feast and dance, Marrying or prostituting, as befel Rape or adultery, where passing fair,
Allur'd them; thence from cups to civil broils.
At length a reverend sire among them came, And of their doings great dislike declar'd, And testify'd against their ways; he oft Frequented their assemblies, whereso met, Triumphs or festivals, and to them preach'd Conversion and repentance, as to souls In prison under judgments imminent:
But all in vain: which when he saw, he ceas'd Contending, and remov'd his tents far off; Then from the mountain hewing timber tall, Began to build a vessel of huge bulk;
Measur'd by cubit, length, and breadth, and height; Smear'd round with pitch; and in the side a door Contriv'd; and of provisions laid in large
For man and beast: when lo, a wonder strange! Of every beast, and bird, and insect small, Came sev'ns, and pairs, and enter'd-in, as taught Their order: last the sire, and his three sons, With their four wives; and God made fast the door. Meanwhile the south wind rose, and with black wings Wide hovering, all the clouds together drove From under Heav'n; the hills to their supply Vapour, and exhalation dusk and moist, Sent up amain; and now the thicken'd sky Like a dark ceiling stood; down rush'd the rain Impetuous, and continu'd fill the earth
No more was seen: the floating vessel swum Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow
Rode tilting o'er the waves: all dwellings else Flood overwhelm'd, and them with all their pomp Deep under water roll'd; sea covered sea, Sea without shore; and in their palaces
Where luxury late reign'd, sea-monsters whelp'd And stabled; of mankind, so numerous late, All left in one small bottom swum imbark'd. How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold The end of all thy offspring, end so sad, Depopulation? thee another flood,
Of tears and sorrow a flood thee also drown'd, And sunk thee as thy sons; till gently rear'd By th' Angel, on thy feet thou stood'st at last,
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