Eternity, whose end no eye can reach. Greatly instructed, I shall hence depart, Greatly in peace of thought, & have my fill Of knowledge, what this vessel can contain ; Beyond which was my folly to aspire. Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, And love with fear the only God, to walk As in his presence, ever to observe His providence, and on him sole depend, Merciful over all his works, with good Still overcoming evil, and by small,
Accomplishing great things, by things deem'd weak,
Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise
By simply meek; that suffering for truth's sake Is fortitude, to highest victory, And to the faithful death the gate of life: Taught this by his example, whom I now Acknowledge my Redeemer, ever bless'd."
To whom thus also the Angel last replied: "This having learn'd, thou hast attain'd the sum Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the stars Thou knew'st by name, & all the ethereal powers, All secrets of the deep, all nature's works, Or works of God in Heaven, air, earth, or sea, And all the riches of this world enjoy'd'st, And all the rule, one empire; only add Deeds, to thy knowledge answerable, add faith, Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love, By name to come call'd charity, the soul Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A Paradise within thee, happier far. Let us descend now therefore, from this top Of speculation, for the hour precise Exacts our parting hence; & see, the guards, By me encamp'd on yonder hill, expect Their motion, at whose front a flaming sword, In signal of remove, waves fiercely round; We may no longer stay. Go, waken Eve; Her also I, with gentle dreams, have calm'd, Portending good, & all her spirits composed To meek submission: thou, at season fit, Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard ; Chiefly what my concern her faith to know, The great deliverance by her seed to come, For by the woman's seed, on all mankind; That ye may live, which will be many days, Both in one faith unanimous, though sad,
With cause, for evils pass'd, yet much more cheer'd With meditation on the happy end."
He ended; and they both descend the hill : Descended, Adam, to the bower where Eve Lay sleeping, ran before; but found her waked : And thus with words not sad, she him received.
"Whence thou return'st, & whither went'st I know; For God is also in sleep, and dreams advise, Which he hath sent propitious, some great good Presaging, since with sorrow & heart's distress Wearied I fell asleep. But now lead on, In me is no delay; with thee to go, Is to stay here; without thee, here to stay, Is to go hence unwilling; thou to me Art all things under Heaven, all places thou, Who, for my wilful crime, art banish'd hence, This further consolation, yet secure, I carry hence; though all by me is lost, Such favour I unworthy, am vouchsafed, By me, the promised Seed shall all restore."
So spake our mother Eve; and Adam heard Well pleased, but answer'd not; for now too high The Arch-angel stood; and from the other hill To their fix'd station, all in bright array The Cherubim descended; on the ground Gliding meteorous, as evening mist, Risen from a river, o'er the marish glides, And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel, Homeward returning. High in front advanced, The brandish'd sword of God before them blazed Fierce, as a comet; which with torrid heat, And vapour, as the Libyan air adust Began to parch that temperate clime: whereat, In either hand, the hastening Angel caught Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast, To the subjected plain; then disappear'd. They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand; the gate With dreadful faces throng'd, and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropp'd, but wiped them soon. The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide : They, hand in hand, with wandering steps & slow. Through Eden took their solitary way.
THE END OF PARADISE LOST.
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