PARADISE REGAIN'D. M BOOK II. EAN while the new-baptiz'd, who yet remain'd Him whom they heard fo late exprefly call'd Jefus Meffiah Son of God declar'd, And on that high authority had believ'd, And with him talk'd, and with him lodg'd, I mean The city' of palms, Ænon, and Salem old, 15 29 On this fide the broad lake Genezaret, Or in Perea; but return'd in vain. Then on the bank of Jordan, by a creek, Where winds with reeds and ofiers whifp'ring play, 25 Their unexpected lofs and plaints out breath'd. 30 Alas, from what high hope to what relapse Unlook'd for are we fall'n! our eyes beheld Meffiah certainly now come, fo long Expected of our fathers; we have heard His words, his wifdom full of grace and truth; For whither is he gone, what accident 35 Send thy Meffiah forth, the time is come; Thy chofen, to what highth their pow'r unjust 45 They have exalted, and behind them caft All fear of thee; arife and vindicate 50 Let Let us be glad of this, and all our fears Lay on his providence; he will not fail, Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall, Thus they out of their plaints new hope refume 55 60 Within her breast though calm, her breast though pure, 70 Could be obtain'd to fhelter him or me From the bleak air; a ftable was our warmth, A manger his; yet foon enforc'd to fly 75 Thence into Egypt, till the murd'rous king Were dead, who fought his life, and miffing fill'd Full grown to man, acknowledg'd, as I hear, I look'd for fome great change; to honor?' no, That to the fall and rising he should be 85 Spoken against, that through my very foul A fword fhall pierce; this is my favor'd lot, Afflicted I may be, it seems, and bleft; I will not argue that, nor will repine. But where delays he now? fome great intent : 95 Conceals him when twelve years he scarce had seen, He could not lofe himself; but went about All his great work to come before him fet; 105 310 How How to begin, how to accomplish best His end of being on earth, and miffion high : Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone 115 Where all his potentates in council fat; Solicitous and blank he thus began. 120 Princes, Heav'n's ancient Sons, ethereal Thrones, Demonian Spirits now, from th' element Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd Pow'rs of fire, air, water, and earth beneath, So may we hold our place and these mild feats Without new trouble; fuch an enemy Is rifen to invade us, who no lefs 125 Threatens than our expulsion down to Hell; Confenting in full frequence was impower'd, 139 Have found him, view'd him, tafted him, but find Far other labor to be undergone Than when I dealt with Adam first of Men, Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell, If he be man by mother's fide at least, With more than human gifts from Heav'n adorn'd, And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds. Of my fuccefs with Eve in Paradife 135 340 |