Far be it, that I should write thee fin, of blame
Or think thee un-befitting holiest place;
Perpetual fountain of domeftic sweets!

Whofe bed is undefil'd, and chafte, pronounc'd,
Prefent, or paft; as faints, and patriarchs us'd.
Here, Love his golden shafts employs; here lights
His conftant lamp; and waves his purple wings :
Reigns here, and revels: not in the bought fmile
Of harlots, lovelefs, joylefs, un-endear'd :
Cafual fruition! nor in Court-amours,
Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball,
Or ferenate, which the ftarv'd lover fings
To his proud Fair: beft quitted with di dain.
Thefe, lull'd by nightingales, embracing flept:
And on their naked limbs the flow'ry roof
Shower'd rofes, which the morn repair'd. Sleep on
Bleft pair! and O! yer happieft, if ye feck
No happier fate, and know to know no more.
Now had night meafur'd, with her shadowy cone,
Half-way up hill this vaft fublunar vault:
And from their ivory port the Cherubim
Forth iffuing at th' accuftom'd hour, ftood arm'd
To their night watches in warlike parade,
When Gabriel to his next in pow'r thus fpake.

Uzziel! half thefe draw off, and coaft the fouth With ftri&teft watch: thefe other wheel the north: Our circuit meets full weft. As flame they part, Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. From thefe, two ftrong and fubtile fpirits he call'd, That near him ftood, and gave them thus in charge.

Ithuriel, and Zephon! with wing'd speed Search thro' this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook ; But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge Now laid perhaps afleep, fecure of harm. This evening from the fun's decline arriv'd, Who tells of fome infernal fpirit, feen Hitherward bent (who could have thought? > efcap'd

The bars of hell; on errand bad, no doubt: Such, where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring So faying, on he led his radiant files,

Dazling the moon: these to the bow'r direct,
In fearch of whom they fought him there they
found,

Squat like a toad, clofe at the ear of Eve;
Affaying, by his devilish art, to reach

The organs of her fancy, and with them forge
Illufions, as he lift, phantafms, and dreams :
Orif, infpiring venom, he might taint
Th' animal fpirits, that from pure blood arife,
Like gentle breaths from rivers pure; thence raise
At laft diftemper'd, difcontented thoughts;
Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate defires,
Blown up with high conceits ingendring pride.
Him thus intent Ithuriel with his fpear.
Touch'd lightly; (for no falshood can endure
Touch of cœleftial temper, but returns
Of force to its own likene fs) up he starts,
Discover'd, and furpriz'd. As when a spark
Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid

Fit for the tun, fome magazine to store
Against a rumor'd war, the fmutty grain
With fudden blaze diffus'd, inflames the air:
So ftarted up, in his own shape, the fiend.
Back step'd those two fair Angels, half amaz'd,
So fudden to behold the grifly King;

Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accoft him foon.

Which of those rebel fpirits, adjudg'd to hell; Com'ft thou, efcap'd thy prifon? and transform'd Why fat'ft thou, like an enemy in wait, Here watching at the head of thefe that fleep?

Know ye not then, faid Satan, fill'd with fcorn, Know ye not Me? ye know me once no mate you durft not foar: For you; there fitting where Not to know me argues yourfelves unknown, The lowest of your throng : or if ye knowɔ Why ask ye, and fuperfluous begin

Your message, like to end as much in vain?

To whom thus Zephon, anfwering fcorn with
fcorn,

Think not, revolted fpirit! thy shape the fame,
Or un-diminish'd brightnefs, to be known
As when thou ftoodst in heav'n, upright, and pure:
That glory then, when thou no more waft good,
Departed from thee; and thou refembl'ft now
Thy fin, and place of doom, obfcure, and foul.
But come! for thou, be fure, shalt give account
To him who fent us, whofe charge is to keep
This place inviolable, and these from harm.
So fpake the Cherub ; and his grave rebuke,

Severe in youthful beauty, added grace
Invincible: abash'd the devil ftood,

And felt how awful goodness is, and saw
Virtue in her shape how lovely; faw, and pin'd
His lofs but chiefly to find here obferv'd
His luftre visibly impair'd: yet feem'd
Undaunted. If I must contend, faid he,
Beft with the beft, the fender not the fent,
Or all at once; more glory will be won,
Or lefs be loft. Thy fear, faid Zephon bold;
Will fave us try al what the least can do
Single against thee wicked, and thence weak.

The fiend reply'd not, overcome with rage
But like a proud fteed rein'd, went haughty on,
Champing his iron curb : to ftrive, or fly,
He held it vain; awe from above had quell'd
His heart, not elfe difmay'd. Now drew they nigh
The western point, where thofe half- rounding

guards

Juft met, and clofing ftood in fquadron join'd, Awaiting next command; to whom their Chief, Gabriel, from the Front thus call'd aloud.

O friends! I hear the tread of nimble feet Hafting this way; and now by glimps difcern Ithuriel, and Zephon, though the shade; And with them comes a third of regal port, But faded fplendor wan; who by his gait, And fierce demeanor', feems the Prince of hell: Not likely to part hence without contest: Stand firm, for in his look defiance low'rs.

He fcarce had ended, when those two approach'd, And brief related whom they brought, where found,

How bufied, in what form, and pofture, couch'd: To whom with ftern regard thus Gabriel fpake.

Why haft thou, Satan! broke the bounds pref crib'd

To thy tranfgreffions, and disturb'd the charge
Of others, who approve not to tranfgrefs
By thy example but have pow'r, and right,
To queftion thy bold entrance on this place;
Employ'd, it feems, to violate fleep, and thofe
Whofe dwelling God hath planted here in bliss?

To whom thus Satan, with contemptuous brow::
Gabriel! thou hadst in heav'n th' efteem of wife,
And fuch I held thee; but this question ask'd
Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain?
Who would not, finding way, break loofe from
hell,

Tho' thither doom'd? thou wouldst thy felf, no doubt,

And boldly venture to whatever place,

Fartheft from pain; where thou might'st hope to change

Torment with eafe, and fooneft recompenfe
Dole with delight; which in this place I fought :
Tho thee no reason, who know'ft only good,
But evil haft not try'd. And wilt object
His will who bounds us let Him furer bar
His iron gates, if He intends our stay