THE ARGUMENT. Satan now in profpect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must now attempt the bold enterprife which he undertook alone against God and Man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many paffions, fear, envy, and defpair; but at length confirms himself in evil, journeys on to Paradife whofe outward prospect and fituation is described, overleaps the bounds, fits in the shape of a cormorant on the tree of life, as higheft in the garden, to look about him. The garden defcrib'd; Satan's first fight of Adam and Eve; his wonder at their excellent form and happy state, but with refolution to work their fall; overhears their difcourfe, thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbidden them to eat of, under penalty of death; and thereon intends to found his temptation by feducing them to tranfgrefs: then leaves them a while, to know further of their state by fome other means. Mean while Uriel defcending on a funbeam warns Gabriel, who had in charge the gate of Paradife, that fome evil Spirit had efcap'd the deep, and pafs'd at noon by his sphere in the shape of a good Angel down to Paradife, difcovered after by his furious geftures in the mount. Gabriel promifes to find him ere morning. Night coming on, Adam and Eve difcourfe of going to their reft: their bower defcrib'd; their evening worship. Gabriel drawing forth his bands of night-watch to walk the round of Paradife, appoints two ftrong Angels to Adam's bower, left the evil Spirit fhould be there doing fome harm to Adam or Eve fleeping; there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel; by whom queftion'd, he fcornfully answers, prepares refiftance, but hinder'd by a fign from Heaven, flies out of Paradife. PARADISE BOOK LOST.. IV.: For that warning voice, which he who faw H 34 By change of place: now conscience wakes desp: That flumber'd, wakes the bitter memory Of what he was, what is, and what must be Worfe; of worfe deeds worse fufferings must en Sometimes tow'ards Eden, which now in his vie Lay pleafant, his griev'd look he fixes fad ; Sometimes towards Heav'n and the full-blazing Which now fat high in his meridian tower ; Then much revolving, thus in fighs began. O thou that with furpaffing glory crown'd, Look'ft from thy fole dominion like the God Of this new world; at whofe fight all the stars Hide their diminish'd heads; to thee I call, But with no friendly voice, and add thy name O Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams, That bring to my remembrance from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere; Till pride and worse ambition threw me down Warring in Heav'n against Heav'n's matchless k Ah wherefore! he deferv'd no fuch return From me, whom he created what I was In that bright eminence, and with his good Upbraided none; nor was his fervice hard. What could be less than to afford him praise, The easiest recompenfe, and pay him thanks, How due! yet all his good prov'd ill in me, And wrought but malice; lifted up so high I fdeind subjection, and thought one step higher Would fet me hig'heft, and in a moment quit The debt immenfe of endless gratitude, So burdensome ftill paying, ftill to owe, 55 60 Then happy; no unbounded hope had rais'd 65 But Heav'n's free love dealt equally to all? Be then his love accurs'd, fince love or hate, 79 Nay curs'd be thou; fince against his thy will Me miferable! which way fhall I fly Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell; 75 80 Among |