Chapter 15 14

What wonder then if fields and region here Breathe forth Elixir pure, and Rivers run Potable Gold, when with one vertuous touch Th Arch-chimic Sun so farr from us remote Produces with Terrestrial Humor mixt [ 610 ] Here in the dark so many precious things Of color glorious and effect so rare? Here matter new to gaze the Devil met Undazld, farr and wide his eye commands, For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, [ 615 ] But all Sun-shine, as when his Beams at Noon Culminate from th Æquator, as they now Shot upward still direct, whence no way round Shadow from body opaque can fall, and the Aire,

No where so cleer, sharp and his visual ray [ 620 ] To objects distant farr, why by he soon Saw within kenn a glorious Angel stand, The same whom John saw also in the Sun: His back was turn, but not his brightness hid; Of beaming sunnie Raies, a golden tiar [ 625 ] Circld his Head, nor less his Locks behind Illustrious on his Shoulders fledge with wings Lay waving round; on som great charge employed He seemed to, or fix in cogitation deep. Glad was the Spirit impure as now in hope [ 630 ] To find who might direct his wandring flight To Paradise the happy seat of Man,

His journeys end and our beginning woe. But first he casts to change his proper shape, Which else might work him danger or delay: [ 635 ] And now a stripling Cherube he appeers, Not of the prime, yet such as in his face Youth smild Celestial, and to every Limb Sutable grace diffused, so well he feigned; Under a Coronet his flowing haire [ 640 ] In curls on either cheek plaid, wings he wore Of many a colourd plume sprinkled with Gold, His habit fit for speed succinct, and held Before his decent steps a Silver wand.