Not that they durst without his leave attempt,
But us he sends upon his high behests
For state, as Sovran King, and to enure
Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut [ 240 ]
The dismal Gates, and barricadod strong;
But long ere our approag heard within
her then the sound of Dance or Song,
Torment, and loud lament, and furie.
Glad we returnd up to the coasts of Light [ 245 ]
Ere Sabbath Eevning: so we had in charge.
But thy relation now; for I attend,
Pleasd with thy words hen thou with mine.
So spake the Godlike Power, and thus our Sire.
For Man to tell how human Life began [ 250 ]
Is hard; for who himself beginning knew?
Desire with thee still loo verse
Inducd me. As new wakt from sou sleep
Soft on the flourie herb I found me laid
In Balmie Sweat, which with his Beames the Sun [ 255 ]
Soon drid, and on the reaking moisture fed.
Strait toward Heavn my w Eyes I turnd,
And gazd a while the ample Skie, till raisd
By quistinctive motion up I sprung,
As thitherward endev, and upright [ 260 ]
Stood on my feet; about me round I saw
Hill, Dale, and shadie Woods, and sunnie Plaines,
And liquid Lapse of murmuring Streams; by these,
Creatures that livd, and movd, and walkd, or flew,
Birds on the branches warbling; all things smild, [ 265 ]
With fragrand with joy my heart oreflowd.
My self I then perusd, and Limb by Limb
Surveyd, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran
With supple joints, as lively vigour led:
But who I was, or where, or from what cause, [ 270 ]
Knew not; to speak I trid, and forthwith spake,
My Tongue obeyd and readily could name
What ere I saw. Thou Sun, said I, faire Light,
And thou enlighth, so fresh and gay,
Ye Hills and Dales, ye Rivers, Woods, and Plaines, [ 275 ]
Ahat live and move, fair Creatures, tell,
Tell, if ye saw, how came I thus, how here?