Adam. And who art thou, whose thick, and bushy locks And beard of silver shade thy head and face? Lucifer. Adam, I am a man; I am thy brother, But of a higher rank; Since I have drawn the vital air of heav'n, Thou in this lower world: For well thou knowst, that station Affords an airy grandeur to our birth. My voice too, and my language Declare me old, as these my locks of silver; Now if all elder things Are deem'd superior to their successors, In this my merit must be more than than thine. Adam. How I should answer thee, my tongue knows not, Thou lofty Lord of Heav'n! Since my sad error with so thick a cloud Of ever-during fear O'ershades my eyes and heart. Lucifer. Oh Adam, do not fear! The Flesh. Wait thou a little ! soon That shall be known to thee, which now is hid: All for thy good alone, And to save man from many griefs, and pains. Lucifer. Now Adam understand How having made me in his lofty heav'n, For a new wish he form'd To make another man, and give the world To be his grateful residence, and then Clay he made Flesh, and of that Flesh made man : Then from the side of man he woman drew, And then ordain'd the law Prohibiting the apple; Which if he tasted, man Must be depriv'd of his celestial home; Hence is it thou hast felt, Hence is it thou hast seen Clouds rolling thro' the air, And fiery scintillations in the sky, Rebellowing thunder and its rattling bolts, And the tempestuous crash. These mournful pomps of horror Say, say, what canst thou think That they portend below to new made man! All these appear'd in heav'n, because from heav'n Now the celestial Adam is dislodg'd. As to terrestial man, (As if the world would drive him from the world) The earth itself grew barren, And every fruit grew harsh; The waters full of turbulence, and gall; And every creature sharp'ned His beak, or tusk, or talon. Behold at last, O heav'n! a pair of brothers! O Adam, do not grieve, That I by fault of thine have now lost heav'n, Thee, my belov'd brother, Now makes me not to feel the loss of heav'n : In this, a sylvan, and a sunny scene! Or emulous of heav'n, in God's own heav'n I will, that we ascend, And underneath our feet Joy to behold the congregated choirs, E'en like the blessed choirs! The children of this man! Now if we wish success to our desires, And should delight to see Springing like grass, and frequent as the flow'rs, Our Children rapidly arise to light, Turn we our eyes and heart To this fair goddess of delightful love! For easy tis to her To form, in sweet array the troops we wish. A plant so sweetly fruitful Is not; nor is the Earth herself so fertile; Its nutritive production, As she will raise, if we are so dispos'd, The fruit of lovely children : Then to the lily whiteness Of her enchanting cheek Advance the living roses of the lip! And of so sweet a flow'r For this love's goddess let us form a garland! Oh to the living ruby Of this sweet fount of kisses, If he for kisses thirst, The hart of love shall run, There bathe his thirsty lip, And there on kisses quench his mighty ardour. The Flesh. Why this delay, O Adam? Approach, approach, my heart! Satiate thy thirst of love! Lucifer. What! dost thou fear, and tremble? Now let the empty cloud Of all thy vain suspicion Disperse before the sun of heav'nly truth! Extend, extend thy arms And in one dear embrace encircle both! Happy who pants for thee! alas what dost thou, At once thou givest, and again draw'st back That in appearing flies, and vanishes. Adam. What fear assaults my heart I cannot tell But feel that like a timid deer I pant At the dire barking of blood-thirsty hounds. SCENE THE THIRD. CHERUBIM, GUARDIAN OF ADAM, ADAM, THE FLESH, and LUCIFER. Cherubim. Tis time to succour man: Alas! what dost thou, Most miserable Adam ? Lucifer. Why dost thou silent stand? what are thy thoughts? Adam. I seem'd to hear a plaintive, pleasing voice, That in this manner spoke: alas! what dost thou ? Most miserable Adam! The Flesh. A vain desire, and dread Now lords it o'er thy heart. Cherubim. Since thy heart trembles, evil must be nigh. |