To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade 205 210 So pray'd they innocent, and to their thoughts Firm peace recover'd soon and wonted calm. On to their morning's rural work they haste Among sweet dews and flow'rs; where any row Of fruit-trees over-woody reach'd too far Their pamper'd boughs, and needed hands to check Fruitless embraces: or they led the vine To wed her elm; she spous'd about him twines Her marriageable arms, and with her brings Her dow'r th' adopted clusters, to adorn His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld 215 With pity Heav'n's high king, and to him call'd 220 Raphael, the sociable Spirit, that deign'd To travel with Tobias, and fecur'd His marriage with the sev'ntimes-wedded maid. Raphael, faid he, thou hear'st what stir on Earth Satan from Hell scap'd through the darksome gulf 225 Hath rais'd in Paradise, and how disturb'd This night the human pair, how he designs 230 Or 235 Or with repose; and fuch difcourse bring on, 245 So spake th' eternal Father, and fulfill'd All justice: nor delay'd the winged Saint After his charge receiv'd: but from among Thousand celestial Ardors, where he stood Veil'd with his gorgeous wings, up springing light 250 Flew through the midst of Heav'n; th' angelic quires, On each hand parting, to his fpeed gave way On golden hinges turning, as by work 255 Divine the sovran Architect had fram'd. From hence no cloud, or, to obstruct his fight, Star interpos'd, however small he fees, Not unconform to other shining globes, Earth and the gard'n of God, with cedars crown'd 260. Above all hills. As when by night the glass Of Galileo, less affur'd, obferves : L2 Imagin'd Imagin'd lands and regions in the moon : 265 He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky Winnows the buxom air; till within foar 270 275 With regal ornament; the middle pair 280 Girt like a starry zone his waste, and round Of Angels under watch; and to his state, For on fome message high they guess'd him bound. 290 And And flow'ring odors, caffia, nard, and balm; Wanton'd as in her prime, and play'd at will 295 Him through the spicy forest onward come 300 Shot down direct his fervid rays to warm And Eve within, due at her hour prepar'd For dinner favory fruits, of taste to please True appetite, and not difrelish thirst 305 Of necta'rous draughts between, from milky stream, Berry or grape: to whom thus Adam call'd. Haste hither Eve, and worth thy fight behold Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape Comes this way moving; seems another morn Ris'n on mid-noon; some great behest from Heaven To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe This day to be our guest. But go with speed, And what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour 310 Abundance, fit to honor and receive 315 Our heav'nly stranger: well we may afford 320 To whom thus Eve. Adam, earth's hallow'd mold, Of God infpir'd, small store will ferve, where store, : L3 All All feafons, ripe for use hangs on the stalk; To entertain our Angel guest, as he Beholding shall confefs, that here on Earth 325 330 So faying, with dispatchful looks in haste She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent What choice to choose for delicacy best, What order, fo contriv'd as not to mix Tastes, not well join'd, inelegant, but bring 335 In Pontus or the Punic coaft, or where 34 Alcinous reign'd, fruit of all kinds, in coat 345 From many a berry', and from sweet kernels press'd She tempers dulcet creams, nor these to hold Mean while our primitive great fire, to meet His God-like guest, walks forth, without more train 350 Accompanied than with his own complete : Perfections; |