Chapter 3 2
Say Goddess, what ensud when Raphael, [ 40 ]
The affable Arch-Angel, had forecast
Adam by dire example to beware
Apostasie, by what befell in Heaven
To those Apostates, least the like befall
In Paradise to Adam or his Race, [ 45 ]
Chargd not to touch the interdicted Tree,
If they transgress, and slightly that sole command,
So easily obeyed amid the choice
Of all tastes else to please thir appetite,
Though wandring. He with his consorted Eve [ 50 ]
The story heard attentive, and was filled
With admiration, and deep Muse to hear
Of things so high and strange, things to thir thought
So unimaginable as hate in Heavn,
And Warr so neer the Peace of God in bliss [ 55 ]
With such confusion: but the evil soon
Drivn back redounded as a flood on those
From whom it sprung, impossible to mix
With Blessedness. Whence Adam soon repealed
The doubts that in his heart arose: and now [ 60 ]
Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know
What neerer might concern him, how this World
Of Heavn and Earth conscious first began,
When, and whereof created, for what cause,
What within Eden or without was done [ 65 ]
Before his memory, as one whose drouth
Yet scarce allayed still eyes the current stream,
Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites,
Proceeded thus to ask his Heavnly Guest.
Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, [ 70 ]
Farr differing from this World, thou hast revealed
Divine interpreter, by favor sent
Down from the Empyrean to forewarne
Us promptly of what might else have bin our loss,
Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach: [ 75 ]
For which to the infinitly Good we owe
Immortal thanks, and his admonishment
Receive with sole purpose to observe
Immutably his sovran will, the end
Of what we are. But since thou hast voutsafe [ 80 ]
Gently for our instruction to impart
Things above Earthly thought, which yet concern
Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seemsd,
Deign to descend now lower, and relate
What may no less perhaps avail us known, [ 85 ]
How first began this Heavn which we behold
Distant so high, with moving Fires adornd
Innumerable, and this which yeelds or fills
All space, the ambient Aire, wide interfusd
Imbracing round this florid Earth, what cause [ 90 ]
Movd the Creator in his holy Rest
Through all Eternity so late to build
In Chaos, and the work began, how soon
Absolvd, if unforbid thou maist unfould
What wee, not to explore the secrets aske [ 95 ]
Of his Eternal Empire, but the more
To magnify his works, the more we know.