Chapter 15 14

So spake th Omnipotent, and with his words All seemed well pleasant, all seemed, but were not all. That day, as other solemn days, they spent In song and dance about the sacred Hill, Mystical dance, which yonder starrie Spheare [ 620 ] Of Planets and of fixt in all her Wheels Similars nearest, mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most, when most irregular they seem, And in thir motions harmonie Divine [ 625 ] So smooths her charming tones, that Gods own ear Listens delighted. Eevning now approachd (For wee have also our Eevning and our Morn, Wee ours for change delectable, not need)

Forthwith from dance to sweet repast they turn [ 630 ] Desirous, all in Circles as they stood, Tables are set, and on a sudden pild With Angels Food, and rubied Nectar flows In Pearl, in Diamond, and massie Gold, Fruit of delicious Vines, the growth of Heavn. [635] On flour reposd, and with fresh flourets crown, They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet Quaff immortality and joy, secure Of surfet where full measure only bounds Excess, before th all bounteous King, who showrd [ 640 ] With copious hand, rejoicing in thir joy. Now when ambrosial Night with Clouds exhaled

From that high mount of God, whence light & shade Spring both, the face of brightest Heavn had changd To grateful Twilight (for Night comes not there [ 645 ] In darker veile) and roseat Dews disposed All but the unsleeping eyes of God to rest, Wide over all the Plain, and wider farr Then all this globous Earth in Plain out spred, (Such are the Courts of God) th Angelic throng [ 650 ] Disperst in Bands and Files thir Camp extend By living Streams among the Trees of Life, Pavilions numberless, and sudden reared, Celestial Tabernacles, where they slept Fannd with coole Winds, save those who in thir course [ 655 ]

Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne Alternate all night long: but not so wakd Satan, so call him now, his former name Is heard no more in Heavn; he of the first, If not the first Arch-Angel, great in Power, [ 660 ] In favor and praeminence, yet fraught With envie against the Son of God, that day Honord by his great Father, and proclaimed Messiah King anointed, could not bear Through pride that sight, & thought himself impaired. [ 665 ] Deep malice thence conceiving and disdain, Soon as midnight brought on the duskie hour Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolvd

With all his Legions to dislodge, and leave Unworshipt, unobeyed the Throne supream [ 670 ] Contemptuous, and his next subordinate Awakning, thus to him in secret spake.