Page:The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton.djvu/275

 BOOK ELEVENTH

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��Who slew his brother: studious they appear Of arts that polish life, inventors rare; 610 Unmindful of their Maker, though his

Spirit

Taught them; but they his gifts acknow- ledged none.

Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget; For that fair female troop thou saw'st, that

seemed

Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay, Yet empty of all good wherein consists Woman's domestic honour and chief praise ; Bred only and completed to the taste Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance, To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye ; 620

To these that sober race of men, whose

lives

Religious titled them the Sons of God, Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame, Ignobly, to the trains and to the smiles Of these fair atheists, and now swim in joy (Erelong to swim at large) and laugh; for

which The world erelong a world of tears must

weep."

To whom thus Adam, of short joy be- reft:

" O pity and shame, that they who to live well 629

Entered so fair should turn aside to tread Paths indirect, or in the midway faint ! But still I see the tenor of Man's woe Holds on the same, from Woman to begin." " From Man's effeminate slackness it be- gins," Said the Angel, " who should better hold

his place

By wisdom, and superior gifts received. But now prepare thee for another scene."

He looked, and saw wide territory spread Before him towns, and rural works be- tween,

Cities of men with lofty gates and towers, Concourse in arms, fierce faces threatening war, 641

Giants of mighty bone and bold emprise. Part wield their arms, part curb the foam- ing steed,

Single or in array of battle ranged Both horse and foot, nor idly mustering

stood.

One way a band select from forage drives A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine, From a fat meadow-ground, or fleecy flock,

��Ewes and their bleating lambs, over the

plain, Their booty; scarce with life the shepherds

fly, 650

But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray : With cruel tournament the squadrons join ; Where cattle pastured late, now scattered

lies With carcasses and arms the ensanguined

field

Deserted. Others to a city strong Lay siege, encamped, by battery, scale, and

mine,

Assaulting; others from the wall defend With dart and javelin, stones and sulphur- ous fire;

On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds. In other part the sceptred haralds call 660 To council in the city-gates : anon Grey-headed men and grave, with warriors

mixed, Assemble, and harangues are heard; but

soon

In factious opposition, till at last Of middle age one rising, eminent In wise deport, spake much of right and

wrong,

Of justice, of religion, truth, and peace, And judgment from above: him old and

young Erploded, and had seized with violent

hands, Had not a cloud descending snatched him

thence, 670

Unseen amid the throng. So violence Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law, Through all the plain, and refuge none was

found.

Adam was all in tears, and to his guide Lamenting turned full sad: " Oh, what

are these ? Death's ministers, not men ! who thus deal

death

Inhumanly to men, and multiply Ten thousandfold the sin of him who slew His brother; for of whom such massacre Make they but of their brethren, men of

men ? 680

But who was that just man, whom had not

Heaven Rescued, had in his righteousness been

lost ? " To whom thus Michael: "These are

the product' Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw'st,

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