Page:Paradise lost by Milton, John.djvu/262

256 Useful, whence haply mention may arise Of something not unseasonable to ask, By sufferance, and thy wonted favor, deigned.— Thee I have heard relating what was done Ere my rememberance; now hear me relate My story, which perhaps thou hast not heard. And day is not yet spent; till then thou seest How subtly to detain thee I devise, Inviting thee to hear while I relate,— Fond! were it not in hope of thy reply. For while I sit with thee I seem in Heaven, And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear Than fruits of palm-tree, pleasantest to thirst And hunger both, from labor, at the hour Of sweet repast. They satiate and soon fill, Though pleasant; but thy words, with grace divine Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety."
 * To whom thus Raphael answered, heavenly meek:

"Nor are thy lips ungraceful, sire of men, Nor tongue ineloquent; for God on thee Abundantly his gifts hath also poured, Inward and outward both his image fair: Speaking or mute all comeliness and grace Attends thee, and each word, each motion forms. Nor less think we in Heaven of thee on Earth Than of our fellow-servant, and inquire Gladly into the ways of God with Man;