By thee adulterous lust was drivn from men
Among the bestial herds te, by thee
Founded in Reason, Loyal, Just, and Pure, [ 755 ]
Relations dear, and all the Charities
Of Father, Son, and Brother first were known.
Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame,
Or think thee uing holiest place,
Perpetual Fountain of Domestic sweets, [ 760 ]
Whose bed is undefild and chaste pronounct,
Present, or past, as Saints and Patriarchs usd.
Here Love his golden shafts imploies, here lights
His stant Lamp, and waves his purple wings,
Reigns here and revels; not in the bought smile [ 765 ]
Of Harlots, loveless, joyless, unindeard,
Casual fruition, nor in Court Amours
Mixt Dance, or wanton Mask, or Midnight Bal,
Or Serenate, which the starvd Lover sings
To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. [ 770 ]
These lulld by Nightingales imbrag slept,
And on thir naked limbs the flourie roof
Showrd Roses, which the Morn repaird. Sleep on
Blest pair; and O yet happiest if ye seek
No happier state, and know to know no more. [ 775 ]
Now had night measurd with her shaddowie e
Half Hill this vast Sublunar Vault,
And from thir Ivorie Port the Cherubim
Forth issuing at th acd hour stood armd
To thir night watches in warlike Parade, [ 780 ]
When Gabriel to his in power thus spake.
Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the South
With strictest watch; these other wheel the North,
Our circuit meets full West. As flame they part
Half wheeling to the Shield, half to the Spear. [ 785 ]
From these, tw and suttle Spirits he calld
That neer him stood, and gave them thus in charge.
Ithuriel and Zephon, with wingd speed
Search through this Garden, leave unsearo nook,
But chiefly where those two fair Creatures Lodge, [ 790 ]
Noerhaps asleep secure of harme.