BOOK FIRST
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��Shall be inflicted by the seed of Eve Upon my head. Long the decrees of
Heaven
Delay, for longest time to Him is short; And now, too soon for us, the circling hours This dreaded time have compassed, wherein
we
Must bide the stroke of that long-threat- ened wound
(At least, if so we can, and by the head 60 Broken be not intended all our power To be infringed, our freedom and our be- ing
In this fair empire won of Earth and Air) For this ill news I bring: The Woman's
Seed,
Destined to this, is late of woman born. His birth to our just fear gave no small
cause ; But his growth now to youth's full flower,
displaying
All virtue, grace and wisdom to achieve Things highest, greatest, multiplies my fear. Before him a great Prophet, to proclaim 70 His coming, is sent harbinger, who all Invites, and in the consecrated stream Pretends to wash off sin, and fit them so Purified to receive him pure, or rather To do him honour as their King. All come, And he himself among them was baptized Not thence to be more pure, but to receive The testimony of Heaven, that who he is Thenceforth the nations may not doubt. I
saw
The Prophet do him reverence ; on him, ris- ing 80 Out of the water, Heaven above the clouds Unfold her crystal doors; thence on his
head
A perf et Dove descend (whate'er it meant) ; And out of Heaven the sovraign voice I
heard, ' This is my Son beloved, in him am
pleased.'
His mother, then, is mortal, but his Sire He who obtains the monarchy of Heaven; And what will He not do to advance his
Son?
His first-begot we know, and sore have felt,
When his fierce thunder drove us to the
Deep; 90
Who this is we must learn, for Man he
seems
In all his lineaments, though in his face The glimpses of his Father's glory shine.
��Ye see our danger on the utmost edge Of hazard, which admits no long debate, But must with something sudden be opposed (Not force, but well-couched fraud, well- woven snares),
Ere in the head of nations he appear, Their king, their leader, and supreme on
Earth.
I, when no other durst, sole undertook 100 The dismal expedition to find out And ruin Adam, and the exploit performed Successfully: a calmer voyage now Will waft me; and the way found prosper- ous once Induces best to hope of like success."
He ended, and his words impression left Of much amazement to the infernal crew, Distracted and surprised with deep dismay At these sad tidings. But no time was
then
For long indulgence to their fears or grief: no
Unanimous they all commit the care And management of this main enterprise To him, their great Dictator, whose attempt At first against mankind so well had
thrived
In Adam's overthrow, and led their march From Hell's deep- vaulted den to dwell in
light, Regents, and potentates, and kings, yea
gods, Of many a pleasant realm and province
wide.
So to the coast of Jordan he directs His easy steps, girded with snaky wiles, 120 Where he might likeliest find this new-de- clared,
This man of men, attested Son of God, Temptation and all guile on him to try So to subvert whom he suspected raised To end his reign on Earth so long enjoyed: But, contrary, unweeting he fulfilled The purposed counsel, pre-ordained and
fixed, Of the Most High, who, in full frequence
bright
Of Angels, thus to Gabriel smiling spake: " Gabriel, this day, by proof, thou shalt behold, 130
Thou and all Angels conversant on Earth With Man or men's affairs, how I begin To verify that solemn message late, On which I sent thee to the Virgin pure In Galilee, that she should bear a son,
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