BOOK X. The Argument. Man's transgression known, the guardian angels forsake Paradise, and return up to heaven to approve their vigilance, and are approved; God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors; who descends and gives sentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and reascends. Sin and Death, sitting till then at the gates of hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, and the sin by man there committed, resolve to sit no longer confined in hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the place of man. To make the way easier from hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad high way or bridge over Chaos, according to the track that Satan first made; then, preparing for earth, they meet him, proud of his success, returning to hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full assembly relates with boasting his success against man: instead of applause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed, with himself also, suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in Paradise; then, deluded with a show of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they, greedily reaching to take of the.fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings of Sin and Death; God foretels the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but, for the present, commands his angels to make several alterations in the heavens and elements. Adam, more and more perceiving his fallen condition, heavily bewails, rejects the condolement of Eve; she persists, and at length appeases him: then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not; but, conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the serpent; and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and supplication. MEANWHILE the heinous and despiteful act He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve, Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, Of man, with strength entire and free will arm'd, With pity, violated not their bliss. About the new-arrived, in multitudes The' etherial people ran, to hear and know Amidst in thunder utter'd thus his voice: Assembled Angels! and ye Powers return'd From unsuccessful charge! be not dismay'd, Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth, Which your sincerest care could not prevent; Or touch with lightest moment of impulse By some immediate stroke: but soon shall find Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee, And destined man himself to judge man fallen." Mine, both in heaven and earth, to do thy will May'st ever rest well pleased. I go to judge [ers, Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose Now was the sun in western cadence low And from his presence hid themselves among "Where art thou, Adam! wont with joy to meet My coming seen far off? I miss thee here, Not pleased, thus entertain'd with solitude, Where obvious duty' ere while appear'd unsought: Or come I less conspicuous, or what change Absents thee, or what chance detains ?-Come forth!" [first He came; and with him Eve, more loth, though To' offend; discountenanced both, and discomLove was not in their looks, either to God, [posed: Or to each other; but apparent guilt, And shame, and perturbation, and despair, Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answer'd brief: "I heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice Afraid, being naked, hid myself." To whom The gracious Judge without revile replied: My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not But still rejoiced; how is it now become [fear'd, So dreadful to thee? That thou art naked, who Hath told thee? Hast thou eaten of the tree Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat?" To whom thus Adam sore beset replied: "O Heaven! in evil straight this day I stand Devolved: though should I hold my peace, yet thou |