Man's tranfgreffion known, the guardian Angels forfake Paradife, and return up to Heaven to approve their vigilance, and are approv'd, God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He fends his Son to judge the tranfgreffors, who defcends and gives fentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and reafcends. Sin and Death fitting till then at the gates of Hell, by wondrous fympathy feeling the fuccefs of Satan in this new world, and the fin by Man there committed, refolve to fit no longer confin'd in Hell, but to follow Satan their fire up to the place of Man: To make the way eafier from Hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad high-way or bridge over Chaos, according to the track that Satan first made; then preparing for Earth, they meet him proud of his fuccefs returning to Hell; their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full affembly relates with boafting his fuccefs againft Man; instead of applaufe is entertained with a general hifs by all his audience, transform'd with himself alfo fuddenly into ferpents, according to his doom given in Paradife; then deluded with a fhew of the forbidden tree fpringing up before them, they greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew duft and bitter aflies. The proceedings of Sin and Death; God foretels the final victory of his Son over them, and the renewing of all things; but for the prefent commands his Angels to make several alterations in the Heavens and elements. Adam more and more perceiving his fallen condition heavily bewails, rejects the condolement of Eve; the perfifts, and at length appeafes him then to evade the curfe likely to fall on their offspring, propofes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not, but conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promife made them, that her feed fhould be reveng'd on the Serpent, and exhorts her with him to feek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and fupplication. : PARADISE LOST. Μ' BOOK X. EAN while the hainous and despiteful act Of Satan done in Paradise, and how He in the serpent had perverted Eve, Her husband fhe, to taste the fatal fruit, Was known in Heav'n; for what can 'fcape the eye 5 Of Man, with ftrength entire, and frec-will arm'd, Whatever wiles of foe or feeming friend. ΙΟ 15 For ftill they knew, and ought to have still remember'd 20 All All were who heard; dim sadness did not spare That time celeftial vifages, yet mix'd With pity, violated not their blifs. Th' ethereal people ran, to hear and know How all befel: they tow'ards the throne fupreme With righteous plea their utmost vigilance, Affembled Angels, and ye Pow'rs return'd I told you then he should prevail and speed Or touch with lightest moment of impulse In even fcale. But fall'n he is, and now 25 30 35 40 45 On his tranfgreffion, death denounc'd that day? 50 Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd, By fome immediate ftroke; but foon shall find Forbearance Forbearance no acquittance ere day end. Juftice fhall not return as bounty fcorn'd. But whom fend I to judge them? whom but thee 55 All judgment, whether in Heav'n, or Earth, or Hell. Mercy collegue with juftice, fending thee And deftin'd Man himself to judge Man fall'n. Exprefs'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild. Mine both in Heav'n and Earth to do thy will 60 65 75 Attendance none fhall need, nor train, where none 80 Are to behold the judgment, but the judg'd, Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd, Convict |