Shall with their freedom lost, all virtue lose Of them derided, but of God observ'd No sooner he with them of man and beast No sanctity, if none be thither brought He look'd, and saw the ark hull on the flood, Which now abated; for the clouds were fled, Driv'n by a keen north wind, that blowing dry Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd; And the clear sun on his wide wat❜ry glass Gaz'd hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew As after thirst, which made their flowing shrink From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt His sluices, as the heav'n his windows shut. The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground Fast on the top of some high mountain fix'd. And now the tops of hills as rocks appear: With clamour thence the rapid currents drive Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies, And after him, the surer messenger, A dove sent forth once and again to spy Green tree or ground whereon his foot may light The second time returning, in his bill An olive leaf he brings, pacific sign: Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark The ancient sire descends with all his train; Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, Grateful to heav'n, over his head beholds A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow Conspicuous with three listed colours gay, Betokening peace from God, and covenant new. Whereat the heart of Adam erst so sad Greatly rejoic'd, and thus his joy broke forth: O thou who future things canst represent As present, heav'nly instructor, I revive At this last sight, assur'd that man shall live With all the creatures, and their seed preserve. Far less I now lament for one whole world Of wicked sons destroy'd, than I rejoice 1 For one man found so perfect and so just, But say, what mean those colour'd streaks in heav'n T'whom th' archangel: Dext'rously thou aim'st, So willingly doth God remit his ire, Though late repenting him of man deprav'd Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new, END OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK. THE ARGUMENT. THE angel Michael continues from the flood to relate what shall succeed; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to explain, who that seed of the woman shall be, which was promised Adam and Eve in the fall; his incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension; the state of the church till his second coming. Adam greatly satisfied and recomforted by these relations and promises, descends the hill with Michael; wakens Eve, who all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams composed to quietness of mind, and submission. Michael in either hand leads them out of Paradise, the fiery sword waving behind them, and the cherubim, taking their stations to guard the place. |