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��PARADISE LOST

��Think only what concerns thee and thy be- ing; Dream not of other worlds, what creatures

there

Live, in what state, condition, or degree Contented that thus far hath been revealed Not of Earth only, but of highest Hea- ven."

To whom thus Adam, cleared of doubt, replied: 179

" How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure Intelligence of Heaven, Angel serene, And, freed from intricacies, taught to live The easiest way, nor with perplexing

thoughts

To interrupt the sweet of life, from which God hath bid dwell far off all anxious

cares,

And not molest us, unless we ourselves Seek them with wandering thoughts, and

notions vain !

But apt the mind or fancy is to rove Unchecked; and of her roving is no end, Till, warned, or by experience taught, she learn 190

That not to know at large of things remote From use, obscure and subtle, but to know That which before us lies in daily life, Is the prime wisdom: what is more is

fume,

Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, And renders us in things that most con- cern

Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek. Therefore from this high pitch let us de- scend

A lower flight, and speak of things at hand Useful; whence, haply, mention may arise Of something not unseasonable to ask, 201 By sufferance, and thy wonted favour,

deigned.

Thee I have heard relating what was done Ere my remembrance; now hear me relate My story, which, perhaps, thou hast not

heard. And day is yet not 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 Hea- ven; 210 And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear Than fruits of palm-tree, pleasantest to thirst

��And hunger both, from labour, 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 sa- tiety."

To whom thus Raphael answered, hea- venly meek:

" Nor are thy lips ungraceful, Sire of Men, Nor tongue ineloqueut; for God on thee Abundantly his gifts hath also poured, 220 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; For God, we see, hath honoured thee, and

set

On Man his equal love. Say therefore on; For I that day was absent, as befell, 229 Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure, Far on excursion toward the gates of Hell, Squared in full legion (such command we

had),

To see that none thence issued forth a spy Or enemy, while God was in his work, Lest he, incensed at such eruption bold, Destruction with Creation might have

mixed.

Not that they durst without his leave at- tempt;

But us he sends upon his high behests For state, as sovran King, and to inure Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut, 240

The dismal gates, and barricadoed strong, But, long ere our approaching, heard with- in Noise, other than the sound of dance or

song

Torment, and loud lament, and furious rage. Glad we returned up to the coasts of Light Ere Sabbath-evening; so we had in charge. But thy relation now; for I attend, Pleased with thy words no less than thou

with mine." So spake the godlike Power, and thus

our Sire:

" For Man to tell how human life began 250 Is hard; for who himself beginning knew? Desire with thee still longer to converse

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