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"Thus, measuring things in heaven by things on

"earth,

"At thy request, and that thou mayest beware

66

By what is past, to thee I have reveal'd

"What might have else to human race been hid;
"The discord which befel, and war in heaven,
"Among the angelic Powers, and the deep fall
"Of those too high aspiring who rebell'd
900"With Satan-he who envies now thy state,
"Who now is plotting how he may seduce
"Thee also from obedience, that, with him,
"Bereav'd of happiness, thou may'st partake
"His punishment-eternal misery;

905"Which would be all his solace and revenge,
"As a despite done against the Most High,
"Thee once to gain companion of his woe.
"But listen not to his temptations: warn
"Thy weaker: let it profit thee to have heard,
910"By terrible example, the reward

"Of disobedience: firm they might have stood,
"Yet fell. Remember! and fear to transgress."

BOOK VII.

THE ARGUMENT.

RAPHAEL, at the request of Adam, relates how and wherefore this world was first created; that God, after the expelling of Satan and his angels out of heaven, declared his pleasure to create another world, and other creatures to dwell therein; sends his Son with glory, and attendance of angels, to perform the work of creation in six days; the angels celebrate with hymns the performance thereof, and his re-ascension into heaven.

PARADISE LOST.

BOOK VII.

DESCEND from heaven, Urania! (by that name
If rightly thou art call'd,) whose voice divine
Following, above the Olympian hill I soar,
Above the flight of Pegasean wing.

5 The meaning, not the name, I call: for thou,
Nor of the Muses nine, nor on the top

Of old Olympus dwell'st; but, heavenly-born,
Before the hills appear'd, or fountain flow'd,
Thou with Eternal Wisdom didst converse-
10 Wisdom thy sister; and with her didst play
In presence of the Almighty Father, pleas'd
With thy celestial song. Up-led by thee,
Into the heaven of heavens I have presum'd,
An earthly guest, and drawn empyreal air,
15 Thy temp'ring: with like safety guided down,
Return me to my native element;

Lest, from this flying steed unrein'd, (as once
Bellerophon, though from a lower clime,)
Dismounted, on th' Alëian field I fall,

20 Erroneous there to wander, and forlorn.

Half yet remains unsung, but narrower bound
Within the visible diurnal sphere:

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