Adam, now ope thine eyes, and first behold
Th effects which thy inal crime hath wrought
In some t from thee, who ouchd [ 425 ]
Th excepted Tree, nor with the Snake spird,
Nor sinnd thy si from that sin derive
Corruption t forth more violent deeds.
His eyes he opnd, and beheld a field,
Part arable and tilth, whereon were Sheaves [ 430 ]
Net, the other part sheep-walks and foulds;
Ith midst an Altar as the Land-mark stood
Rustic, of grassie sord; thither anon
A sweatie Reaper from his Tillage brought
First Fruits, the green Eare, and the yellow Sheaf, [ 435 ]
Unculld, as came to hand; a Shepherd
More meek came with the Firstlings of his Flock
Choicest a; then sacrifig, laid
The Inwards and thir Fat, with Inse strewd,
On the cleft Wood, and all due Rites performd. [ 440 ]
His soon propitious Fire from Heavn
d with nimble glance, and grateful steame;
The others not, for his was not sincere;
Whereat hee inlie ragd, and as they talkd,
Smote him into the Midriff with a stone [ 445 ]
That beat out life; he fell, and deadly pale
Groand out his Soul with gushing bloud effusd.
Much at that sight was Adam in his heart
Dismaid, and thus in haste to th Angel crid.
O Teacher, some great mischief hath befalln [ 450 ]
To that meek man, who well had sacrificd;
Is Pietie thus and pure Devotion paid?
T whom Michael thus, hee also movd, replid.
These two are Brethren, Adam, and to e
Out of thy loyns; th unjust the just hath slain, [ 455 ]
For ehat his Brothers found
From Heavn acceptance; but the bloodie Fact
Will be avengd, and th others Faith approvd
Loose no reward, though here thou see him die,
Rowling in dust and gore. To which our Sire. [ 460 ]
Alas, both for the deed and for the cause!