第3章 2

Say Goddess, what ensud when Raphael, [ 40 ] The affable Arch-Angel, had forewarnd Adam by dire example to beware Apostasie, by what befell in Heaven To those Apostates, least the like befall In Paradise to Adam or his Race, [ 45 ] Chargd not to touch the interdicted Tree, If they transgress, and slight that sole command,

So easily obeyd amid the choice Of all tastes else to please thir appetite, Though wandring. He with his consorted Eve [ 50 ] The storie heard attentive, and was filld With admiration, and deep Muse to heare Of things so high and strange, things to thir thought So unimaginable as hate in Heavn,

And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss [ 55 ] With such confusion: but the evil soon Drivn back redounded as a flood on those From whom it sprung, impossible to mix With Blessedness. Whence Adam soon repeald The doubts that in his heart arose: and now [ 60 ] Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know

What neerer might concern him, how this World Of Heavn and Earth conspicious first began, When, and whereof created, for what cause, What within Eden or without was done [ 65 ] Before his memorie, as one whose drouth Yet scarce allayd still eyes the current streame, Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites,

Proceeded thus to ask his Heavnly Guest. Great things, and full of wonder in our eares, [ 70 ] Farr differing from this World, thou hast reveald Divine interpreter, by favour sent Down from the Empyrean to forewarne Us timely of what might else have bin our loss, Unknown, which human knowledg could not reach: [ 75 ]

For which to the infinitly Good we owe Immortal thanks, and his admonishment Receave with solemne purpose to observe Immutably his sovran will, the end Of what we are. But since thou hast voutsaft [ 80 ] Gently for our instruction to impart Things above Earthly thought, which yet concernd Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seemd,

Deign to descend now lower, and relate What may no less perhaps availe us known, [ 85 ] How first began this Heavn which we behold Distant so high, with moving Fires adornd Innumerable, and this which yeelds or fills All space, the ambient Aire, wide interfusd Imbracing round this florid Earth, what cause [ 90 ]

Movd the Creator in his holy Rest Through all Eternitie so late to build In Chaos, and the work begun, how soon Absolvd, if unforbid thou maist unfould What wee, not to explore the secrets aske [ 95 ] Of his Eternal Empire, but the more To magnifie his works, the more we know.