540 Mean while in utmost longitude, where heav'n 545 Th' unarmed youth of heav'n; but nigh at hand From what point of his compass to beware 560 542 eastern] The sun setting shined on the eastern gate; 'tis well it was higher than all the rest of Paradise.' Bentl. MS. 544 alablaster] Thus spelt in both Milton's own editions. 554 with diamond] See Prose Works, 1. 232. (Apol. for Smectymnus.) Their zeal, whose substance is ethereal, arming in complete diamond.' 558 as a shooting] See Dante Il Paradiso, c. xv. 16. 565 Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath giv'n Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place No evil thing approach or enter in : This day at highth of noon came to my sphere A spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know More of the Almighty's works, and chiefly man God's latest image: I describ'd his way Bent all on speed, and mark'd his aery gait: But in the mount that lies from Eden north, Where he first lighted, soon discern'd his looks 57 Alien from heav'n, with passions foul obscur'd: Mine eye pursu'd him still, but under shade Lost sight of him; one of the banish'd crew, I fear, hath ventur'd from the deep to raise New troubles; him thy care must be to find. 575 To whom the winged warrior thus return'd : Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight, Amid the sun's bright circle where thou sitt'st, See far and wide: in at this gate none pass The vigilance here plac'd, but such as come Well known from heav'n; and since meridian hour No creature thence. If spirit of other sort, 580 561 to thee] It has been proposed to read these lines with the insertion of a parenthesis: ⚫ Gabriel (to thee thy course by lot hath given This day at highth of noon,' &c. 567 describ'd] Some read descry'd.' Newton. 576 winged] See Marino's Sl. of the Innocents, p. 23. (Transl.) 'Shining troops of winged armies ride. So minded, have o'erleap'd these earthy bounds But if within the circuit of these walks 585 Return'd on that bright beam, whose point now rais'd Bore him slope downward to the sun, now fall'n Beneath th' Azores; whether the prime orb, Incredible how swift, had thither roll'd Diurnal, or this less volubil earth, By shorter flight to th' east, had left him there, 595 Arraying with reflected purple and gold 600 The clouds that on his western throne attend. 592 whether] whither.' Milton's own ed. 594 volubil] ' volúbil,' with the second syllable long, as in the Latin volubilis; when it is short, Milton writes it ' voluble.' Newton. 599 livery] Fletch. P. Isl. vi. st. 54. 'The world late clothed in night's black livery. Todd. 600 Silence] See this personification in Beaumont's Psyche, c. vi. st. 174. 'Silence for porter stood. c. xix. st. 160. Whilst Silence sate upon his lips.' 602 all but] Not all. Owls. Bubones. Bentl. MS. 505 611 With living saphirs; Hesperus that led The starry host rode brightest, till the moon, Rising in clouded majesty, at length Apparent queen unvail'd her peerless light, And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw. When Adam thus to Eve: Fair consort, th' hour Of night and all things now retir'd to rest Mind us of like repose, since God hath set Labour and rest, as day and night, to men Successive, and the timely dew of sleep Now falling with soft slumbrous weight inclines Our eyelids other creatures all day long Rove idle, unemploy'd, and less need rest: Man hath his daily work of body or mind Appointed, which declares his dignity, And the regard of heaven on all his ways; While other animals unactive range, And of their doings GOD takes no account. To-morrow ere fresh morning streak the east With first approach of light we must be ris'n, And at our pleasant labour, to reform Yon flowery arbours, yonder allies green, Our walk at noon, with branches overgrown, That mock our scant manuring, and require More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth: Those blossoms also and those dropping gums, 630 That lie bestrown unsightly and unsmooth, 627 walk] In the first ed. 'walks.' Newton. 629 620 625 manuring] This is to be understood as in the French manœuvre, or working with hands. Richardson. Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease: Mean while, as nature wills, night bids us rest. To whom thus Eve with perfect beauty adorn'd. My author and disposer, what thou bidd'st Unargu'd I obey, so GOD ordains; GOD is thy law, thou mine; to know no more Is woman's happiest knowledge and her praise. With thee conversing I forget all time, 635 All seasons and their change, all please alike: 640 This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes? Daughter of GOD and man, accomplish'd Eve, 660 |