THE ARGUMENT. Man's transgression known, the guardian-angels forsake paradise, and return up to heaven to approve their vigilance, and are approved; God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors; who descends and gives sentence accordingly; then in pity clothes them both, and reascends. Sin and Death, sitting till then at the gates of hell, by wondrous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, and the sin by man there committed, resolve to sit no longer confined in hell, but to follow Satan, their sire, up to the place of man : to make ' the way easier from hell to this world to and fro, they pave a broad highway or bridge over chaos, according to the track that Satan first made; then, preparing for earth, they meet him, proud of his success, returning to hell their mutual gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium; in full assembly relates, with boasting, his success against man; instead of applause, is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, transformed with himself also suddenly into serpents, according to his doom given in paradise; then, deluded with a shew of the forbidden tree springing up before them, they, greedily reaching to take of the fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. 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 present, 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; she persists, and at length appeases him: then, to evade the curse likely to fall on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he approves not; but, conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the late promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the serpent; and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended Deity, by repentance and supplication. Meanwhile the heinous and despiteful act He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve, Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, Was known in heaven; for what can scape the eye Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind Of man, with strength entire, and free will arm'd, Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend. For still they knew, and ought to have still remember'd About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes The ethereal people ran, to hear and know « Assembled angels, and ye powers return'd From unsuccessful charge; be not dismay'd, Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth, I told ye then, he should prevail, and speed Or touch with lightest moment of impulse By some immediate stroke; but soon shall find But whom send I to judge them? whom but thee, All judgment, whether in heaven, or earth, or hell. Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee Both ransom and redeemer voluntary, And destin❜d man himself to judge man fall'n. » Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild : Father Eternal, thine is to decree; Mine, both in heaven and earth, to do thy will Justice with mercy, as may illustrate most Them fully satisfied, ad thee appease. Attendance none shall need, nor train, where none Those two; the third best absent in condemn'd, Thus saying, from his radiant seat he rose Accompanied to heaven-gate; from whence Down he descended straight : (the speed of gods From noon, and gentle airs, due at their hour, To fan the earth now, wak'd, and usher in The evening cool; when He, from wrath more cool, No walking in the garden, by soft winds Brought to their ears, while day declin'd; they heard, « Where art thou, Adam, wont with joy to meet Absents thee, or what chance detains? Come forth! « Whence Adam, faltering long, thus answer'd brief: << I heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice Afraid, being naked, hid myself. >> To whom The gracious judge, without revile, replied: << My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, So dreadful to thee? That thou art naked, who Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat? >> a O Heaven! in evil strait this day I stand My other self, the partner of my life; |