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��Hath, unbesought, provided, and his hands Clothed us unworthy, pitying while he

judged. 1059

How much more, if we pray him, will his ear Be open, and his heart to pity incline, And teach us further by what means to shun The inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and

snow ! Which now the sky, with various face,

begins To shew us in this mountain, while the

winds

Blow moist and keen, shattering the grace- ful locks Of these fair spreading trees; which bids

us seek Some better shroud, some better warmth

to cherish Our limbs benumbed ere this diurnal

star 1069

Leave cold the night, how we his gathered

beams

Reflected may with matter sere foment, Or by collision of two bodies grind The air attrite to fire ; as late the clouds, Justling, or pushed with winds, rude in

their shock, Tine the slant lightning, whose thwart

flame, driven down,

Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine, And sends a comfortable heat from far, Which might supply the Sun. Such fire to

use,

And what may else be remedy or cure 1079 To evils which our own misdeeds have

wrought,

��He will instruct us praying, and of grace Beseeching him ; so as we need not fear To pass commodiously this life, sustained By him with many comforts, till we end In dust, our final rest and native home. What better can we do than, to the place Repairing where he judged us, prostrate

fall

Before him reverent, and there confess Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with

tears Watering the ground, and with our sighs

the air 1090

Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in

sign Of sorrow unfeigned and humiliation

meek ?

Undoubtedly he will relent, and turn From bis displeasure, in whose look serene, When angry most he seemed and most

severe, 1 What else but favour, grace, and mercy,

shon ? "

So spake our Father penitent; nor Eve Felt less remorse. They, forthwith to the

place Repairing where he judged them, prostrate

fell 1099

Before him reverent, and both confessed Humbly their faults, and pardon begged,

with tears Watering the ground, and with their sighs

the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in

sign Of sorrow unfeigned and humiliation meek.

��BOOK XI

��THE ARGUMENT

The Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first parents now repenting, and intercedes for them. God accepts them, but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise ; sends Michael with a band of Cheru- bim to dispossess them, but first to reveal to Adam future things : Michael's coming down. Adam shews to Ere certain ominous signs: he discerns Michael's approach; goes out to meet him : the Angel denounces their de- parture. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleads, but sub- mits : the Angel leads him up to a high hill ; sets before him in vision what shall happen till the Flood.

THUS they, in lowliest plight, repentant

stood Praying; for from the Mercy-seat above

��Prevenient grace descending had removed The stony from their hearts, and made new

flesh Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now

breathed

Unutterable, which the Spirit of prayer Inspired, and winged for Heaven with

speedier flight

Than loudest oratory. Yet their port Not of mean suitors; nor important less Seemed their petition than when the ancient

Pair 10

In fables old, less ancient yet than these, Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore The race of mankind drowned, before the

shrine

�� �