PARADISE REGAIN'D.. M BOOK II. EAN while the new-baptiz'd; who yes At Jordan with the Baptift, and had feen } 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 With others, though in Holy Writ not nam'd, B. 3 Night Nigh to Bethabara; in Jericho The City of Palms, Enon, and Salem old, Macharus, and each Town or City wall'd 20 Then on the bank of Jordan, by a Creek, 25. Where Winds with Reeds and Offers whifp'ring play, Plain Fishermen, no greater men them call, Clofe in a Cottage low together got, Their unexpected lofs and plaints out breath'd.. Alas, from that high hope to what relapse .30% 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 Hath rapt him from us? will he now retire After appearance, and again prolong Our expectation? God of Ifrael, 35 40% Send toy Meffiah forth, the time is come; Behold the Kings of th' Earth how they opprefs Thy chofen, to what heighth their Pow'r unjuft 45 Thy glory, free thy people from their yoke : Lay on his Providence; he will not fail, Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recall, 55% Mock us with his bleft fight, then snatch him hence: Soon we fhall fee our hope, our joy return. Thu Thus they out of their plaints new hope refume 60 Within her breast, though calm; her breaft, though pure, Motherly cares and fears got head, and rais'd Some troubled thoughts, which she in fighs thus clad. 65 O what avails me now that honour high' From the bleak air; a Stable was our warmth, Thence into Egypt, till the murd❜rous King Were dead, who fought his life, and miffing fill'd 75 8a By John the Baptift, and in publick shown, Son own'd from Heaven by his Father's voice: 85 I look'd for fome great change; to Honour? no, Of many in Ifrael, and to a fign Spoken againft, that through my very Soul my 99 favour'd lot, My Exaltation to Afflictions high; intent But where delays he now ? fome great Thus Mary pond'ring oft, and oft to mind 95 100 ▪༠s་ His end of being on Earth, and Miffion high.. Had left him vacant, and with speed was gone Up to the middle Region of thick Air, Where all his Potentates in Council fate; There without fign of boast, or fign of joy, Sollicitous and blank he thus began. Princes, Heav'ns ancient Sons, Ethereal Thrones, 115 1200 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 thefe mild feats 125819 Is rifen to invade us, whom no less Threatens our expulfion down to Hell; I, as I undertook, and with the vote Confenting in full frequence was impower'd, 130 Have found him, view'd him, tafted him, but find Far Far other labour to be undergon Than when I dealt with Adam first of Men, 135 If he be Man by Mother's fide at least, With more than human gifts from Heav'n adorn'd,, Perfections abfolute, Graces divine, And amplitude of mind to greatest Deeds. Therefore I am return'd, left confidence 14.0 Of my fuccefs with Eve in Paradife 145 Thought none my equal, now be over-match'd. So fpake th' old Serpent doubting, and from all With clamour was affur'd their utmost aid At his command; when from amidst them rose. Belial, the diffoluteft Spirit that fell, 150. Set women in his eye, and in his walk, 155 160 165 Women |