However some tradition they dispersd
Among the Heathen of thir purchase got,
And Fabld how the Serpent, whom they calld [ 580 ]
Ophion with Euryhe wide-
Encroag Eve perhaps, had first the rule
Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn drivn
And Ops, ere yet Di Jove was born.
Mean while in Paradise the hellish pair [ 585 ]
Too soon arrivd, Sin there in power before,
Oual, now in body, and to dwell
Habitual habitant; behind her Death
Close following pace for paot mounted yet
On his pale Horse: to whom Sin thus began. [ 590 ]
Sed of Satan sprung, all querih,
What thinkst thou of our Empire now, though earnd
With travail difficult, not better farr
Then stil at Hels dark threshold to have sate watch,
Unnamd, undreaded, and thy self half starvd? [ 595 ]
Whom thus the Sin-born Monster answerd soon.
To mee, who with eternal Famin pine,
Alike is Hell, or Paradise, or Heaven,
There best, where most with ravin I may meet;
Which here, though plenteous, all too little seems [ 600 ]
To stuff this Maw, this vast unhide-bound Corps.
To whom th iuous Mother thus replid.
Thou therefore on these Herbs, and Fruits, and Flours
Feed first, on each Beast , and Fish, and Fowle,
No homely morsels, and whatever thing [ 605 ]
The Sithe of Time mowes down, devour unspard,
Till I in Man residing through the Race,
His thoughts, his looks, words, as all i,
And season him thy last and sweetest prey.
This said, they both betook them several wayes, [ 610 ]
Both to destroy, or unimmortal make
All kinds, and for destru to mature
Sooner or later; which th Almightie seeing,
From his transdehe Saints among,
To those bright Orders utterd thus his voice. [ 615 ]