224
��Hath, unbesought, provided, and his hands Clothed us unworthy, pitying while he
judged. 1059
How much more, if we pray him, will his ear Be open, and his heart to pity incline, And teach us further by what means to shun The inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and
snow ! Which now the sky, with various face,
begins To shew us in this mountain, while the
winds
Blow moist and keen, shattering the grace- ful locks Of these fair spreading trees; which bids
us seek Some better shroud, some better warmth
to cherish Our limbs benumbed ere this diurnal
star 1069
Leave cold the night, how we his gathered
beams
Reflected may with matter sere foment, Or by collision of two bodies grind The air attrite to fire ; as late the clouds, Justling, or pushed with winds, rude in
their shock, Tine the slant lightning, whose thwart
flame, driven down,
Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine, And sends a comfortable heat from far, Which might supply the Sun. Such fire to
use,
And what may else be remedy or cure 1079 To evils which our own misdeeds have
wrought,
��He will instruct us praying, and of grace Beseeching him ; so as we need not fear To pass commodiously this life, sustained By him with many comforts, till we end In dust, our final rest and native home. What better can we do than, to the place Repairing where he judged us, prostrate
fall
Before him reverent, and there confess Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with
tears Watering the ground, and with our sighs
the air 1090
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in
sign Of sorrow unfeigned and humiliation
meek ?
Undoubtedly he will relent, and turn From bis displeasure, in whose look serene, When angry most he seemed and most
severe, 1 What else but favour, grace, and mercy,
shon ? "
So spake our Father penitent; nor Eve Felt less remorse. They, forthwith to the
place Repairing where he judged them, prostrate
fell 1099
Before him reverent, and both confessed Humbly their faults, and pardon begged,
with tears Watering the ground, and with their sighs
the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in
sign Of sorrow unfeigned and humiliation meek.
��BOOK XI
��THE ARGUMENT
The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them. God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise ; sends Michael with a band of Cheru- bim to dispossess them, but first to reveal to Adam future things : Michael's coming down. Adam shews to Ere certain ominous signs: he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to meet him : the Angel denounces their de- parture. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but sub- mits : the Angel leads him up to a high hill ; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the Flood.
THUS they, in lowliest plight, repentant
stood Praying; for from the Mercy-seat above
��Prevenient grace descending had removed The stony from their hearts, and made new
flesh Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now
breathed
Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer Inspired, and winged for Heaven with
speedier flight
Than loudest oratory. Yet their port Not of mean suitors; nor important less Seemed their petition than when the ancient
Pair 10
In fables old, less ancient yet than these, Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore The race of mankind drowned, before the
shrine
�� �
