Say Goddess, what ensud when Raphael, [ 40 ]
The affable Argel, had forewarnd
Adam by dire example to beware
Apostasie, by what befell in Heaven
To those Apostates, least the like befall
In Paradise to Adam or his Race, [ 45 ]
Chargd not to touch the interdicted Tree,
If they transgress, and slight that sole and,
So easily obeyd amid the choice
Of all tastes else to please thir appetite,
Though wandring. He with his sorted Eve [ 50 ]
The storie heard attentive, and was filld
With admiration, and deep Muse to heare
Of things so high and strahings to thir thought
So unimaginable as hate in Heavn,
And Warr so he Peace of God in bliss [ 55 ]
With such fusion: but the evil soon
Drivn back redounded as a flood on those
From whom it sprung, impossible to mix
With Blessedness. Whence Adam soon repeald
The doubts that in his heart arose: and now [ 60 ]
Led o sinless, with desire to know
What neerer might him, how this World
Of Heavn ah spicious first began,
When, and whereof created, for what cause,
What within Eden or without was done [ 65 ]
Before his memorie, as one whose drouth
Yet scarce allayd still eyes the current streame,
Whose liquid murmur heard hirst excites,
Proceeded thus to ask his Heavnly Guest.
Great things, and full of wonder in our eares, [ 70 ]
Farr differing from this World, thou hast reveald
Divierpreter, by favour sent
Down from the Empyrean to forewarne
Us timely of what might else have bin our loss,
Unknown, which human knowledg could not reach: [ 75 ]
For which to the infinitly Good we owe
Immortal thanks, and his admonishment
Receave with solemne purpose to observe
Immutably his sovran will, the end
Of what we are. But sihou hast voutsaft [ 80 ]
Gently for our instru to impart
Things above Earthly thought, which yet d
Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seemd,
Deign to desd now lower, ae
What may no less perhaps availe us known, [ 85 ]
How first began this Heavn which we behold
Distant so high, with moving Fires adornd
Innumerable, and this which yeelds or fills
All space, the ambient Aire, wide interfusd
Imbrag round this florid Earth, what cause [ 90 ]
Movd the Creator in his holy Rest
Through all Eternitie so late to build
In Chaos, and the work begun, how soon
Absolvd, if unforbid thou maist unfould
What wee, not to explore the secrets aske [ 95 ]
Of his Eternal Empire, but the more
To magnifie his works, the more we know.