Of Wood-Gods and Wood-Nymphs; he view'd it round,
When suddenly a man before him stood,
Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad,
As one in City, or Court, or Palace bred,300
And with fair speech these words to him address'd.
With granted leave officious I return,
But much more wonder that the Son of God
In this wild solitude so long should bide
Of all things destitute, and well I know,
Not without hunger. Others of some note,
As story tells, have trod this Wilderness;
The Fugitive Bond-woman with her Son
Outcast Nebaioth, yet found he relief
By a providing Angel; all the race 310
Of Israel here had famish'd, had not God
Rain'd from Heaven Manna; and that Prophet bold
Native of Thebez[errata 1] wandring here was fed
Twice by a voice inviting him to eat.
Of thee these forty days none hath regard,
Errata
