Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/77

 �REDEMPTION.

To Satan's sense, acutely train'd for such

Delicious fare; but odious now, averse,

As to all otter good; so, sick'ning, prone

The Dragon fell, and on his belly crept

With many a foul contortion, serpentine,

Eructing with disgust, such surfeit caused,

To his perverted taste, th' angelic food.

Escaped at last, he to the casement drew,

Where second Eve reposed, unconsciously

Secure, though absent all her watchful guards,

And present he, who her destruction sought.

Such vision there the Devil soon beheld,

As ne'er till now had met his envious gaze.

Like grace and beauty naught created bore,

In all the wide domain of nature's worlds.

Matchless in excellence, unsullied, pure,

The Mother of the Maker calm reposed,

Whilst rays of light, direct from throne of God,

In radiant streams effulgent round her glow'd.

Simplicity and guileless innocence

Beam'd in her face, her royal brow bedight,

And held the Tempter distant, fill'd with awe.

By strange propulsion driven, yet withheld,

He paused, advanced, stood still, awhile withdrew,

As admiration, fear, or hate intense,

Controll'd his wav'ring thoughts, thus various urged:

" excellence divine ! hateful sight ! Sight, that at once inflames me with desire, And yet still more with all-consuming hate. This Eve, as far transcends the former Eve, As suns transcend in glory smallest stars, Or as th' archangel's human kind excel.

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