How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold
The end of all thy , end so sad, [ 755 ]
Depopulation; thee another Floud,
Of tears and sorrow a Floud thee also drownd,
And sunk thee as thy Sons; till gently reard
By th Angel, on thy feet thou stoodst at last,
Though fortless, as when a Father mourns [ 760 ]
His Children, all in view destroyd at once;
And scarce to th Aterdst thus thy plaint.
O Visions ill foreseeer had I
Livd ignorant of future, so had borne
My part of evil onely, each dayes lot [ 765 ]
Anough to bear; those now, that were dispenst
The burdn of many Ages, on me light
At once, by my foreknowledge gaining Birth
Abortive, to torment me ere thir being,
With thought that they must be. Let no man seek [ 770 ]
Heh to be foretold what shall befall
Him or his Childern, evil he may be sure,
Whieither his foreknowing prevent,
Ahe future evil shall no less
In apprehension then in substance feel [ 775 ]
Grievous to bear: but that care now is past,
Man is not whom to warhose few escapt
Famin and anguish will at last e
Wandring that watrie Desert: I had hope
When violence was ceast, and Warr oh, [ 780 ]
All would have then gon well, peace would have d
With length of happy dayes the raan;
But I was farr deceavd; for now I see
Peace to corrupt hen Warr to waste.
How es it thus? unfould, Celestial Guide, [ 785 ]
And whether here the Raan will end.
To whom thus Michael. Those whom last thou sawst
In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they
First seen in acts of prowess emi
And great exploits, but of true vertu void; [ 790 ]
Who having spilt much blood, and don much waste
Subduing Nations, and achievd thereby
Fame in the World, high titles, and rich prey,
Shall ge thir course to pleasure, ease, and sloth,
Surfet, and lust, till wantonness and pride [ 795 ]
Raise out of friendship hostil deeds in Peace.