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Ruin, and defperation, and dismay,

Who durft so proudly tempt the Son of God. 580
So Satan fell; and strait a fiery globe

Of Angels on full fail of wing flew nigh,
Who on their plumy vans receiv'd him soft
From his uneafy station, and upbore

As on a floating couch through the blithe air, 585
Then in a flow'ry valley fet him down

On a green bank, and fet before him spread
A table of celeftial food, divine,
Ambrofial fruits, fetch'd from the tree of life,
And from the fount of life ambrosial drink,
That foon refresh'd him wearied, and repair'd
What hunger, if ought hunger had impair'd,
Or thirft; and as he fed, angelic quires
Sung heav'nly anthems of his victory
Over temptation, and the Tempter proud.

590

595

True Image of the Father, whether thron'd In the bofom of blifs, and light of light Conceiving, or remote from Heav'n, infhrin'd In fleshly tabernacle, and human form, Wand'ring the wilderness, whatever place, 600 Habit, or flate, or motion, ftill expreffing The Son of God, with God-like force indued Against th' attempter of thy Father's throne, And thief of Paradise; him long of old

Thou didst debel, and down from Heaven caft 605 With all his army, now thou hast aveng'd

Sup

Supplanted Adam, and by vanquishing
Temptation, haft regain'd loft Paradise;
And fruftrated the conqueft fraudulent:

He never more henceforth will dare fet foot 610
In Paradise to tempt; his fnares are broke:
For though that feat of earthly blifs be fail'd,
A fairer Paradife is founded now

For Adam and his chosen fons, whom thou

615

A Saviour art come down to re-install
Where they shall dwell fecure, when time shall be,
Of Tempter and temptation without fear.
But thou, infernal Serpent, shalt not long
Rule in the clouds; like an autumnal ftar
Or lightning thou shalt fall from Heav'n, trod down
Under his feet: for proof, ere this thou feel'ft 621
Thy wound, yet not thy laft and deadlieft wound,
By this repulse receiv'd, and hold'st in Hell
No triumph; in all her gates Abaddon rues
Thy bold attempt; hereafter learn with awe 626
To dread the Son of God: he all unarm'd
Shall chace thee with the terror of his voice
From thy demoniac holds, poffession foul,
Thee and thy legions; yelling they shall fly,
And beg to hide them in a herd of fwine,
Left he command them down into the deep
Bound, and to torment sent before their time.
Hail Son of the most High, heir of both worlds,
Queller of Satan, on thy glorious work

M

630

Now

Now enter and begin to fave mankind. 635

Thus they the Son of God our Saviour meek Sung victor, and from heav'nly feast refresh'd Brought on his way with joy; he unobferv'd Home to his mother's houfe private return'd.

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Ariftot. Poet. Cap. 6.

Tragadia mimefis praxeos Spondaias, &c.

Tragoedia eft imitatio actionis feriæ, &c. per mifericordiam et metum perficiens talium affectuum luftrati

onem.

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