He ended; and thus Adam last replyd.
How soon hath thy predi, Seer blest,
Measurd this tra World, the Race of time,
Till time stand fixt: beyond is all abyss, [ 555 ]
Eternitie, whose end no eye reach.
Greatly instructed I shall hence depart.
Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill
Of knowledge, what this Vessel taine;
Beyond which was my folly to aspire. [ 560 ]
Heh I learhat to obey is best,
And love with feare the onely God, to walk
As in his presence, ever to observe
His providence, and on him sole depend,
Merciful over all his works, with good [ 565 ]
Still overing evil, and by small
Aplishing great things, by things deemd weak
Subverting worldly strong, and worldly wise
By simply meek; that suffering for Truths sake
Is fortitude to highest victorie, [ 570 ]
And to the faithful Death the Gate of Life;
Taught this by his example whom I now
Aowledge my Redeemer ever blest.
To whom thus also th Angel last replid:
This havi, thou hast attaihe summe [ 575 ]
Of wisdom; hope no higher, though all the Starrs
Thou k by name, and all th ethereal Powers,
All secrets of the deep, all Natures works,
Or works of God in Heavn, Aire, Earth, or Sea,
And all the riches of this World enjoydst, [ 580 ]
And all the rule, one Empire; onely add
Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add Faith,
Add vertue, Patieemperance, add Love,
By o e calld Charitie, the soul
Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath [ 585 ]
To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess
A Paradise within thee, happier farr.