A gloomy consistory; and them amidst, With looks aghast and sad, he thus bespake. O ancient Powers of air and this wide world, And now, too soon for us, the circling hours To be infring'd, our freedom and our being, His birth to our just fear gave no small cause : Things highest, greatest, multiplies my fear. Before him a great Prophet, to proclaim His coming, is sent harbinger, who all Invites, and in the consecrated stream Pretends to wash off sin, and fit them, so Purified, to receive him pure, or rather To do him honour as their king: All come, And he himself among them was baptiz'd ; Not thence to be more pure, but to receive The testimony of Heaven, that who he is Thenceforth the nations may not doubt: I saw The Prophet do him reverence: on him, rising Out of the water, Heaven above the clouds. Unfold her crystal doors; thence on his head A perfect dove descend, (whate'er it meant,) And out of Heaven the sovran voice I heard, "This is my Son belov'd, in him am pleas'd.” His mother then is mortal, but his Sire He who obtains the monarchy of Heaven: And what will he not do to advance his Son? His first-begot we know, and sore have felt, When his fierce thunder drove us to the deep: Who this is we must learn, for Man he seems In all his lineaments, though in his face The glimpses of his Father's glory shine. Ve see our danger on the utmost edge Of hazard, which admits no long debate, But must with something sudden be oppos'd, (Not force, but well-couch'd fraud, well-woven snares,) Ere in the head of nations he appear, Their king, their leader, and supreme on earth. And ruin Adam; and the exploit perform'd Will waft me; and the way, found prosperous once, He ended, and his words impression left His easy steps, girded with snaky wiles, Where he might likeliest find this new-declar'd, |